Author: Britt Avery

It might be April 1st, but this isn’t a joke: the USDA has officially announced a $1 billion initiative to combat avian influenza and bring some stability back to the egg market. After months of outbreaks sweeping across poultry operations—and egg prices spiking right alongside them—this move signals a serious step toward disease containment + supply chain protection.

The plan includes:

— Investments in biosecurity infrastructure
— Support for vaccine development + deployment
— Emergency relief funds for impacted producers
— Consideration of temporary imports to boost domestic supply

Whether you raise poultry, rely on eggs as a secondary income stream, or operate in adjacent ag sectors, this isn’t something to brush off. An outbreak can derail more than just flock health—it can stall operations, strain finances, and send ripple effects across customer relationships and long-term contracts.

The difference between disruption + resilience often comes down to how well you prepare before something hits.

It’s one thing to have insurance. It’s another to have a proactive risk management plan: clear SOPs, updated emergency playbooks, and financial buffers that actually match your exposure. These are the safeguards that separate farms that react from farms that stay ready.

So no, this isn’t an April Fools’ joke—and it’s definitely not the time to leave things to chance. If you’re unsure how exposed your farm is—or whether these USDA programs apply to you— let’s talk and find that information together.

Shoot us a call or email if you’re looking to strengthen your risk management strategy or make sure your operation is protected before the next outbreak hits. We’ll help you assess and prepare without missing a beat.

The Iowa Food Cooperative, a critical hub for connecting local farmers to consumers, is facing serious financial pressure after major federal food access programs were cut. Programs like Local Food for Schools (LFS) and Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) provided millions in purchasing power that directly supported Iowa’s producers—roughly $11.3 million worth.

The loss of this funding doesn’t just hit co-ops—it sends a shockwave through Iowa’s local ag economy. Farmers who had secured wholesale contracts through these programs are now left scrambling. Food banks and school systems, which counted on fresh, locally grown produce, are forced to pivot. And for many small- to mid-sized farms, this disruption could threaten the very model they’ve built their business on.

So, what’s the takeaway? Diversity matters. Relying too heavily on one customer type—even a government-funded one—can leave your farm exposed to policy shifts you can’t control. This is the moment to ask hard questions:

— What portion of your income is tied to grants or subsidized buyers?
— How resilient is your pricing structure when demand shifts?
— Are there gaps in your go-to-market strategy?

We get it—navigating all of this while still running a farm isn’t easy. But you don’t have to rebuild your plan alone.

If these cuts have you on unstable ground, let’s rebuild your base. Reach out to our team if you’re rethinking your revenue streams or worried about what happens when outside funding disappears. We’re here to help you create a stronger, more self-sustaining farm business model.

In response to a challenging year for commodity markets, the USDA has rolled out the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program—a $10 billion aid package designed to provide immediate relief to producers facing steep price drops in staple crops like wheat, corn, barley, and oats.

The promise is quick support: eligible producers can apply now, and if approved, funds could hit accounts in as little as three business days. That kind of speed is rare in federal programming, and for many farmers, it could help close urgent cash flow gaps or cover operating costs before planting ramps up.

But let’s zoom out: while this funding is helpful, it isn’t a long-term fix for a system increasingly reliant on reactive aid. Lower prices, tighter margins, and unpredictable global markets aren’t going away—and if these stressors are revealing weak spots in your farm’s financials, now’s the time to address them.

The best operations aren’t just waiting for relief—they’re forecasting smarter, marketing earlier, and budgeting with precision. Knowing your breakeven points by crop, field, or even enterprise can shift how you sell, store, and plan—not just how you survive a down year.

If this USDA aid is the only thing keeping your numbers in the black, it’s time for a deeper look.

Reach out to our team if you’re trying to avoid relying on last-minute relief just to keep your operation afloat. We’ll help you build a more proactive, profit-driven plan that’s ready for the next market shift.

There’s no doubt the safety net matters. A new USDA report shows that farmers in Iowa and Texas topped the charts in receiving federal payments meant to soften the blow from market losses—tens of billions distributed through programs like ARC (Agriculture Risk Coverage) and PLC (Price Loss Coverage). And while these programs can be lifelines during tough seasons, they shouldn’t be the entire strategy.

Here’s the hard truth: if your operation relies too heavily on subsidies, it could be a sign your business model needs a tune-up.

At FaRM Success, we’re not here to knock the value of USDA support. But we are here to make sure you’re building something that doesn’t crack under pressure. These payments are reactive—they come after the loss. We want to help you be proactive—avoiding the loss in the first place, and knowing your breakevens before the markets shift.

Whether it’s evaluating your cost structure, adjusting your marketing plans, or building a more resilient financial model, Joe and the FaRM Success crew are here to dig in with you. Because real farm success? It isn’t just about what you get—it’s about what you keep, and how you grow it.

Need help making sense of your numbers—or figuring out if these programs are covering what you really need?

Contact Joe at FaRM Success. We’ll make sure you’re not just covered, but positioned to lead.