More than 1,000 U.S. farmers have voiced urgent concerns over the future of glyphosate and atrazine, two of the most widely used herbicides in American agriculture, as federal scrutiny intensifies under the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission.

The survey, commissioned by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) between June 17 and July 2, found that 85% of respondents ranked weeds as the top pest threatening their crops. Atrazine and glyphosate were overwhelmingly listed as their most relied-upon solutions.

The concern stems from a MAHA Commission report that flagged the herbicides-along with chlorpyrifos-on page 35 of its 68-page health review, citing potential links to chronic disease in children. While the reference was limited, it triggered widespread anxiety across the ag sector. A follow-up strategy document containing policy recommendations is due to President Trump by August 12.

According to the NCGA, glyphosate is applied to over 90% of herbicide-treated corn acres in the U.S., while atrazine is used on roughly 60%. These inputs are considered foundational to modern, cost-effective weed control.

"We are sounding the alarm," the NCGA said in a statement. "Losing access to these tools would devastate yields and dramatically raise input costs." The organization estimates that yield losses from such a ban could exceed 70%, driven by surging pest and weed pressure.

Illinois farmer and NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr. underscored the concern, stating, "These findings reflect what I'm hearing from farmers across the country. We can't afford to lose access to essential tools that enable sustainable, high-yield production."

Many industry stakeholders argue that the EPA and other regulatory bodies have already deemed these herbicides safe when applied according to label directions. "There's no scientific basis for removing them," Hartman said. "Doing so will harm not only farmers, but the entire rural economy."

Blake Hurst, a corn and soybean farmer in northwest Missouri, called glyphosate "the most valuable tool in my production system." Speaking at a briefing hosted by the Modern Ag Alliance, he warned that any ban would force producers into less effective, possibly riskier alternatives.

Over 300 agricultural groups have engaged with the MAHA Commission in recent months, pushing for evidence-based decision-making that considers both public health and food security.

With the August 12 deadline approaching, the ag community is bracing for a report that could reshape the U.S. crop protection landscape.