Partly driven by tariffs, the rising costs of fuel, fertilizer and equipment are putting a financial strain on New York farmers.
“We milk about 1,900 cows and farm over 3,000 acres of land to feed those cows,” said Chris Noble, co-owner of Noblehurst Farms in Livingston County, New York.
Noblehurst Farms is a seventh-generation dairy farm with roots dating back to the early 1800s.
As Noble and his team work to preserve his family’s agricultural legacy and provide quality products, he says the impact of tariffs is putting extra financial stress on daily operations.
“Most of the tariff impact that we’ve seen comes in terms of the increase costs in parts, supplies, and ag machinery,” said Noble. “Really through indirect sources. So, dealers, suppliers of those products would have paid those tariffs to import from overseas. Then we pay the higher costs for those products.”
As a dairy farmer, Noble said he isn’t able to pass those costs on to customers. He said he “takes what the market gives him,” which can ultimately hurt his bottom line.
The New York Farm Bureau tells Spectrum News 1 it isn’t collectively hearing a lot about tariffs from its members, and shares its farmers are focused on high fuel and fertilizer prices.
It’s as a recent survey from the American Farm Bureau Federation finds nearly 70% of northeast farmers can’t afford enough fertilizer to get them through the year.
In a statement, New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher said in part: “The spike in fertilizer costs, and in associated diesel fuel costs, is a negative multiplier for farmers in what is already a very challenging season. We are already dealing with labor shortages, fluctuating tariffs and unpredictable weather.”
To help mitigate some of these changes, Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed $30 million in direct “tariff relief” for New York farmers to offset increased costs for fertilizer, equipment and supplies.
It’s as the governor said the state is experiencing an increase in the loss of family farms.
“I want to get this passed in the budget as soon as we can – $30 million set aside in a tariff relief fund for our farmers,” Hochul said at an April 21 press conference. “Lastly, the money we’re putting in the refundable investment tax credit program to help farmers – another $15 million for our dairy farm modernizations. All of this is within the budget.”
“That certainly would be a very helpful shot in the arm if that were to come through in the budget,” said Noble.
Spectrum News 1 did reach out to the Office of Budget to find out how farmers can apply and access the funds if they’re approved and is still waiting to hear back.