CBS News · 18 Sep, 03:34 · Business briefing

Farmer who voted for Trump says "I can't stay in business" amid rising costs

A US farmer, who supported Donald Trump, reports that escalating operational costs threaten his business viability.

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

26%average salary uplift after a professional certificate

2.7xfaster promotion for certified professionals

71%of leaders prefer candidates who upskill continuously

20days to your first credential

The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

A US farmer, who supported Donald Trump, reports that escalating operational costs threaten his business viability. This news highlights the severe financial pressures facing the agricultural sector, regardless of political alignment. Rising expenses for inputs and labour are squeezing margins, forcing producers to reconsider traditional models. The story underscores a broader economic challenge where external market forces, rather than policy alone, determine sustainability. For professionals, it illustrates how macroeconomic shifts directly impact small business survival rates. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for anyone working in sectors vulnerable to cost inflation and supply chain disruptions.

Employer demand for Finance and Accounting skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

You must recognise that cost efficiency is now a critical survival skill. Professionals in operations, finance, and strategy should prioritise mastering lean methodologies and financial modelling to identify waste. Supply chain experts must focus on resilience and alternative sourcing to mitigate price volatility. If you advise small businesses, develop expertise in grant writing and government subsidy navigation. Smart professionals will upskill in data analytics to forecast market trends accurately. You should also explore sustainable practices that reduce long-term input costs. This shift demands a proactive approach to risk management. By integrating these skills, you position yourself as indispensable in an economy where margin erosion threatens traditional business models. Adapt quickly or risk irrelevance.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Finance and Accounting, Supply Chain, Risk Management Strategies and Sustainability management — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

Enrol in these
to benefit.

These programmes position you for exactly this shift — online, self-paced, and finishing with a verifiable certificate you can share the day you pass.