Farm Economy
During his trip to Clive, Iowa, Trump reaffirms support for year-round E15, backing corn growers and ethanol, while announcing John Deere’s expansion of two new domestic production and distribution facilities.
After years of losses, debt is piling up and new government payments won’t fill the hole. At a breaking point, more farmers are expected to leave the business this year, some by choice, others forced out by lenders.
The December Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor shows the farm economy will likely stay strained into 2026. As crops face tight margins, biofuels policy — especially E15 and biomass-based diesel — could influence recovery.
Heading into 2026, markets hinge on EPA biofuel rules, global fertilizer supply and acreage shifts. StoneX warns tight inputs, policy delays and weather risk will shape crop prices and farm margins.
Will 2026 be a repeat of 2016? Chris Barron, Ag View Solutions, shares four strategies to help farmers capture some profit in this down cycle.
Arkansas farmer Nathan Reed says irrigation, insurance limits and global competition are deepening the downturn as Southern producers are now deciding what to plant based on what will lose the least amount of money.
Farmers weigh in on the pros and cons of federal aid programs and what they believe is needed to adopt regenerative practices in today’s environment of tight margins.
Alongside strong growth in farm loans, liquidity at commercial agricultural banks tightened and earnings increased during the third quarter.
New research is literally testing the waters to see if post-harvest fields offer an untapped profit opportunity for farmers.
As farmers look ahead to 2026, grain markets are sending mixed signals based on record corn exports, large supplies, federal payments and ongoing China trade uncertainty.