New data from the USDA shows continued consolidation, with nearly 150,000 fewer farms over the past five years and more than 21 million acres of farmland lost. The sharp decline in farm numbers highlights a growing trend of smaller operations being absorbed into larger farms. Ongoing financial pressure is driving the change. High input costs, trade disruptions, and lower commodity prices continue to squeeze farm margins, making it increasingly difficult for smaller producers to remain viable. Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies climbed 46 percent in 2025, with the Southeast and Midwest among the hardest hit regions.
