For the National Farmers Union, there’s a long list of issues that Congress has to address to help American producers now and into the future. Some of the top issues include a Farm Bill and trade, but there is also consolidation.

Rod Larew, president of the National Farmers Union, says consolidation is impacting every corner of the farming community, and it’s not just small farms but medium and even large operations.

“When we have so few opportunities for sources for fertilizer, other inputs, seeds, farm equipment, et cetera, that while we might be getting some innovation there when you have true competition among all of those players, and we’re not even talking about the markets, but when you have true competition among those suppliers, you get lower prices. You get greater innovation, and we need to be making sure that we are as competitive at the farm level, as much as possible.”

Larew says this is an issue he would like to see Congress address head-on.

“When we have the monopolization for suppliers on the market side, so the buyers of our products and so forth, the fewer players the bigger challenge it is for farmers.”

Larew added that it’s important that the farming community comes together with a similar message and plan to ensure that the industry can thrive and benefit going forward.