Steve Pybrum

Steve Pybrum

King of Agricultural Taxation, Steven Pybrum CPA MBA Sees a Bright Future for Agriculture

The economic outlook for American agriculture under the Trump administration hinges on a delicate interplay of labor dynamics, trade policy, and tax reform. As new policies take shape, the industry faces significant challenges, particularly for labor-intensive crops, while opportunities arise in areas such as tax incentives and trade realignment.

Labor Shortages and Specialty Crops

Specialty crops such as strawberries, lettuce, and leafy greens are pillars of agricultural production in regions like California and the Pacific Northwest. These crops depend on manual harvesting, which some may be performed by undocumented workers. Stricter immigration enforcement under the Trump administration raises concerns about labor shortages, which could lead to unharvested crops or rising labor costs.

Mechanization, while advancing, remains inadequate for precision harvesting. The introduction of a modernized guest worker program could offer a viable solution. Policies that acknowledge the contributions of experienced farm workers, such as providing pathways to citizenship for those with a decade or more of steady employment in farming could stabilize the labor pool and secure future harvests.

Trade Policy and Export Market Risks

Global trade is a cornerstone of American agriculture, with crops like almonds, soybeans, and wheat heavily reliant on export markets. The administration’s emphasis on renegotiating trade agreements and imposing tariffs adds uncertainty to these markets. While tariffs can be effective in securing more favorable trade terms, their short-term impact on agricultural exports warrants caution.

Policymakers must aim to bolster the competitiveness of American products while limiting the influx of lower-quality imports into domestic grocery stores. Trade policies calibrated to expand export opportunities for U.S. farmers while shielding them from over supply and unfair competition can ensure long-term market stability.