I don't think people really understand how much our agricultural products are held above other countries' heads. If we were able to sell our products anywhere in the world, the farmers wouldn't have a whole lot to worry about. While overhead costs have increased by about 15 percent during the past decade, average prices farmers have received for their products have actually declined by about 4 percent. Costs of seed, chemicals, building materials, labor and equipment are all rising faster than farm prices. American consumers should be willing to pay a little extra for food and fiber to help ease the load on American farmers, Henley said.
American farmers produce the safest food in the world.
If the balance of food production power shifts to other countries, you'll see a decline in the quality of products. Taxes also play a role in declining farm profits, Henley said. People don't realize the amount of the tax burden farmers pay, Henley said. Farmers also pay income taxes and bear the brunt of local property taxes. It gets real close to half of all we make is paid back in taxes.