U.S. Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas said on April 16 that American farmers are seeing increased tax refunds this season and discussed ongoing challenges with production costs during an interview on RFD TV’s Market Day Report.
The topic is important to many Kansas residents, as farming communities face both new financial relief and continued uncertainty due to global events affecting input prices such as fertilizer and diesel fuel.
Marshall said, “Well, I think number one is they’re celebrating Tax Day. Is that for the first time in decades, Americans celebrated Tax Day — American farmers, small business owners. Right, they’re on average getting $2,000 or $3,000 of a tax refund, and that’s because of our Working Family Tax Cuts bill… But beyond that, of course, it is input costs… there’s no doubt that they’re talking about the price of fertilizers and the price of diesel fuel.” He also addressed legislative efforts: “So I talked about the Renewable Fuel Standard — that’s going to mean that we’re going to consume an extra 85 million bushels of soybeans. The Renewable Fuel Standards are a $30 billion a year industry now for American farmers… What our fertilizer package would do is bring about new competition. It would help small producers of fertilizer get into the business…”
Discussing international factors impacting agriculture costs, Marshall said: “If this theocracy in Iran continues… diesel fuel is going to go up to $15 a gallon and your fertilizers go up another 50% as well… under President Trump we saw record drops in net farm income; last year we turned that around under President Trump.” On further aid for farmers he added: “President Trump’s already given farmers $42 billion since he was sworn into office. It’s something that we’ll seriously consider… Let’s see where we are in a week or two…”
Marshall’s office provides services such as military academy nominations, assistance with federal agencies, American flag requests, internships and tour arrangements for Kansas residents according to the official website. He served seven years in the U.S. Army Reserves according to his official website.
A fifth-generation farm kid who became the first in his family to pursue higher education—earning degrees from Butler County Community College, Kansas State University and University of Kansas School of Medicine—Marshall chairs subcommittees on conservation and biotechnology within agriculture as well as primary health within health committees according to his official website. He has practiced obstetrics and gynecology for over 25 years delivering more than 5,000 babies according to his official biography.
Looking ahead at ongoing challenges facing agriculture markets globally and domestically—including national security issues—Marshall concluded by reiterating support for additional measures if needed.
