DAILY Bites

• Thousands rallied in London against a proposed 20% tax on farms over £1 million, starting in 2026.

• Farmers say the tax will force sales of generational farms with low profit margins.

• Some officials say most farms are exempt, but other entities warn up to 70,000 could be affected.

DAILY Discussion

British farmers rallied in London this week to protest the Labour government’s proposal to extend inheritance tax to agricultural land, a measure critics have dubbed the “tractor tax.”

The planned tax, announced last month as part of the government’s budget, would impose a 20 percent levy on farm values exceeding £1 million ($1.27 million) starting in 2026. The policy aims to raise funds for public services but has sparked significant backlash from farming communities.

On Tuesday, approximately 13,000 demonstrators gathered in Parliament Square, holding signs with messages like “no farmer, no food, no future” and “Starmer the farmer harmer,” referencing Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The protest was accompanied by a mass lobby event organized by the National Farmers’ Union, where farmers engaged with about 150 Members of Parliament.

Before this policy, farms could be passed down tax-free. Farmers argue that while their land and equipment hold high monetary value, their operations often run on tight profit margins, leaving them unable to pay the proposed tax without selling their farms.

Emma Robinson, a farmer from northwest England whose family has operated the same land for 500 years, expressed her outrage, telling Reuters, “I’m absolutely livid. … It’s being taken out of my hands by someone that’s been in Parliament for literally days.”

Olly Harrison, another protesting farmer, told Al Jazeera, “We’re not tax dodgers. If we were making profits, tax our profits. But if we’re not making profits, we can’t pay inheritance tax.” He added that the value of farmland on paper does not reflect its practical financial significance.

The government has sought to reassure critics, stating that the tax will affect only about 500 farms annually and can be paid in installments over 10 years. Additionally, existing exemptions could raise the effective threshold to £3 million ($3.8 million) for married couples. However, the Country Land and Business Association has warned that up to 70,000 farms could be impacted.

NFU President Tom Bradshaw criticized the government’s position, telling Sky News, “You cannot have a policy in place which has such disastrous human impacts and think we’re going to go quiet.” Bradshaw hinted at potential “militant action” from farmers if the policy is not reversed, including possible disruptions to food supplies.

Starmer defended the policy on Monday, stating that “the vast majority of farms” would not be affected under the outlined thresholds. However, the escalating tensions suggest this issue will remain a contentious battle between the government and the agricultural sector.

The effort from some automakers — like BMW, Audi, Volvo, and Tesla — to remove AM radio from their vehicles has loomed like a dark cloud over rural America for much of the past year. AM broadcasts are vital sources of news and emergency information in isolated communities that struggle with reliable broadband connectivity and other media access.

For many of these people, the national AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act — which would require all new passenger motor vehicles to have devices that can access AM broadcast stations installed as standard equipment — can’t come quickly enough.

“For those who work mostly in the open, often miles from home, response time is critical,” said Emily Buckman, American Farm Bureau Federation’s director of government affairs. “Members need a reliable form of communication to access critical information during those times.”

There are over 4,000 AM radio stations across the United States, with hundreds of them focusing specifically on agricultural programming. AM radio helps keep rural residents apprised of news that may impact their businesses, health care, education, and family. The trade magazine Today’s Farmer noted that data collected in 2021-22 by Aimpoint Research found that two-thirds of farmers surveyed said they listened to AM stations for information related to their farming operations.

“AM radio still serves as a very important medium of information for large swaths of the country,” said Nate Scherer, policy analyst for the nonprofit American Consumer Institute. He noted that recent Nielsen data showed about 82 million Americans tune into AM radio each month. “They’re relying on AM radio when they’re on their way to work or driving around the farm in their pickup trucks.”

Most vehicle manufacturers are currently focused on removing AM radio from their fleets of electric vehicles because they claim that electric motors can interfere with AM radio frequencies, making it sound staticky over the airwaves. Yet the movement hasn’t been exclusive to EVs — Ford initially announced in 2023 that it would not include AM radio in all new Ford and Lincoln models until reversing that decision amid a massive backlash.

“Phasing out of AM radio is mainly applied to EVs, but with more and more states deciding they’re going to go to all-electric vehicles, it’s not hard to see a couple of years out from now where you just won’t be able to buy a vehicle with that capability,” Scherer said.

Automakers believe that motorists are more likely to listen to satellite radio or connect to media via Bluetooth through their smartphones, but advocates point out that broadcast radio is still available when the power goes out or if cell towers go offline.

“It’s particularly important during times of emergency,” said Buckman, who noted that AFBF was flooded with concerns from members after automakers began making their decisions. “If you think about a thunderstorm or a tornado moving in closely, AM radio is a key form of communication.”

One response from some corners against AM is that people can tune into FM stations instead. Yet it’s not that simple.

FM broadcasts typically have a maximum range of about 40 miles; AM frequencies, on the other hand, are primarily propagated close to the ground and can be heard up to 100 miles most days, with that range being amplified several times during nighttime hours.

“Unlike FM radio, AM radio operates at lower frequencies and longer wavelengths, enabling it to pass through solid objects and travel further than other radio waves. As a result, FEMA’s National Public Warning System — through which FEMA delivers critical safety alerts to the public — operates through broadcast AM radio stations,” said U.S. Sen. Ed Markey from Massachusetts. He noted that the Department of Transportation has stated that removing AM radios from vehicles means that this vital public safety system will no longer function as intended.

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act was introduced in 2023 in both the U.S. House and Senate and has garnered broad bipartisan support. Specifically, in the House, it has 267 cosponsors, and in the Senate, 62 cosponsors. It also has the backing of major stakeholders, like the AFBF and the National Association of Broadcasters. In fact, over 70 organizations have signed a letter showing their support, while other letters have been send directly to automakers.

Scherer said that it wasn’t clear why leadership in the chambers haven’t brought this legislation to the floor yet. He hypothesized that there may be some hesitation around creating new government mandates with potential unintended consequences or that some lawmakers may view it as too much of a dying medium or irrelevant to their constituent base.

The bill gained new awareness in the wake of hurricanes Helene and Milton early this fall, which severely damaged communications and other infrastructure, making AM radio a standout source of updates and emergency relief coordination. As recently as a month ago, media outlets were pointing to a growing likelihood that the measure would get passed — and potentially passed soon, especially with time running out on the clock for Congress to be in session.

“We fully understand that Congress has a lot on its plate to get done before the end of this session. So we will see if this lands in an end-of-year package before the Congress concludes,” Buckman said. “But it’s very rare that you see 60 senators behind a piece of legislation. And it’s rare that you have over 250 cosponsors on a piece of legislation in the House. The support is there — I think it’s going to be a matter of timing.”

Ryan Tipps is the founder and managing editor of AGDAILY. He has covered farming since 2011, and his writing has been honored by state- and national-level agricultural organizations.

Three women in the agriculture communications and marketing space are creating a new nonprofit called the Association of Females in Agriculture Media with the intent of better supporting women in all realms of ag media.

The group, shortened to A-FAM, officially launches Dec. 1. It will seek to provide networking, professional development, mentoring, and personal support for women in this space, including broadcast, print, digital, podcasting, sales, and industry relations.

The three founding trustees are:

• Sabrina Halvorson: She is the National Correspondent for AgNet Media, the host of the daily ag radio talk show The AgNet News Hour, and farm broadcaster for four networks including AgNet West, Southeast AgNet, Hoosier Ag Today, and Michigan Ag Today. She also was awarded the 2024 Farm Broadcaster of the Year award by the National Association of Farm Broadcasting.
• Corryn LaRue: She if a former bureau chief for RFD-TV and currently serves as a farm broadcaster and content specialist with the American Ag Network, delivering reports across various platforms.
• Aria Wilcox: She works in the sales and events department for a California-based agriculture magazine and trade show company and leads marketing for her family’s book publishing business.

“Over the past few years, I’ve had a lot of women approach me and express the need for sessions that focus on us and what we go through with our careers and lives in general,” Halvorson said. “Nothing against men, but as much as they may want to, they often don’t truly understand the different things women go through in our careers and our lives.”

Halvorson noted that no one will be turned away from membership, even men, but that the first priority is always that A-FAM remains a safe space for women to have meaningful conversations without worrying about repercussions.

The organization already has monthly virtual sessions planned through April of 2025, with speakers on topics such as diversity at the ag table, building a trusting relationship with your audience, utilizing the latest tools of the trade, and building your personal brand.

Membership is currently free. For more information, visit the A-FAM website.

DAILY Bites

• Stabenow introduced a $39 billion bill addressing food insecurity and rural support but faces bipartisan criticism.

• Boozman condemned the bill’s timing amid warnings of a “dairy cliff” if no deal is reached by December.

• The proposal has garnered mixed reactions, with support from groups like MAZON and the American Farm Bureau Federation, but criticism from others, including the National Pork Producers Council over unaddressed issues like California’s Prop 12.

DAILY Discussion

On Monday, Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, introduced the $39 billion Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act. The proposal aims to address food insecurity, support rural economies, and strengthen agricultural policies.

The announcement highlights the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the farm bill, as the current extension nears expiration and Stabenow’s opposition (the incoming Republican majority) is poised to take control of the Senate in January.

“The foundation of every successful Farm Bill is built on holding together the broad, bipartisan Farm Bill coalition,” Stabenow said. “This is a strong bill that invests in all of agriculture, helps families put food on the table, supports rural prosperity, and holds that coalition together.”

The bill, spanning 1,400 pages, marks Stabenow’s sixth farm bill. However, it is likely her last, as she plans to retire at the end of this congressional session. 

Her effort faces strong opposition. Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), the top Republican on the Agriculture Committee and incoming chairman, criticized the timing and content.

“An 11th-hour partisan proposal released 415 days after the expiration of the current farm bill is insulting,” Boozman said. “America’s farmers deserve better.”

If Congress fails to pass the legislation by December’s end, Stabenow warned of reverting to “Depression-era policy,” including a potential “dairy cliff” that would disrupt the pricing structure for dairy products.

The bill addresses key issues like food insecurity and the unpredictable challenges faced by farmers, especially with the increasing impacts of climate change. “I’ve met with families finding it harder and harder to make ends meet as food insecurity in our country continues to grow,” Stabenow said.

Farm organizations and advocacy groups have voiced mixed reactions. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall, for example, emphasized the urgency of passing effective policy.

“It’s unfortunate that only a few legislative working days remain for Congress to act, but Farm Bureau remains committed to working with elected officials on both sides of the aisle to achieve federal policy that improves the outlook for farmers and ranchers,” Duvall stated. He also highlighted that farm income has dropped 30 percent over two years, leaving many producers in dire need of federal support.

However, not all groups are supportive. The National Pork Producers Council criticized the proposal, citing its failure to address California’s Prop 12, which regulates breeding pig confinement.

And MAZON, a nonprofit focused on combating hunger, endorsed the bill. “The stakes are simply too high for Congress to do anything less than to support those at risk of hunger,” the organization stated.

The HEAL Food Alliance, a national coalition of health, environment, agriculture, and labor organizations weighed in too. “We’re glad to finally see a measure that reflects the needs of people working across the food system,” said Nichelle Harriott, Policy Director at the HEAL Food Alliance. “Our members have told us again and again that they need a farm bill that includes essential protections for food and farm workers who continue to endure hazardous working conditions and exploitative labor practices, disaster relief for small farmers facing climate-related challenges, and critical safeguards to reduce hunger, including continued support for vital nutrition assistance programs like SNAP. There’s still a lot of work to be done to ensure full equity and sustainability but this bill is a promising step in the right direction.”

The bill’s future remains uncertain as lawmakers face a tight deadline to reach an agreement. With bipartisan cooperation being essential, the outcome of this legislation could shape the landscape of U.S. agriculture and rural prosperity for years to come.