Besides ag equipment, what’s another area vulnerable to tariffs?

Ag equipment sales have dropped over the past year, and analysts expect that trend to continue. However, one economist is more concerned about another area that remains vulnerable as tariffs persist.

“If you move upstream to the agricultural input industries, the John Deeres, the Cases, and so on, that’s a huge concern. We will probably create exemptions or cutouts for most of the higher-value, higher-cost elements in agriculture, but I think it is really straightforward. It’s corn and soybeans. It’s apples. It’s almonds. It’s pistachios. It is some version of processed and canned and easily shipped things,” said Bruce Sherrick with the University of Illinois.

Ag inputs, like feed ingredients and fertilizers, are exempt from higher tariffs for now, but ag equipment makers are feeling the effects. AgCo and CNH both reported double-digit sales drops last quarter. Leaders at AgCO say they are staying nimble amid the uncertainty.

Related Stories
The farm bill is still moving, but the toughest amendment fights were pushed into today’s session. ASA President Scott Metzger joins us to discuss the risks of tariff actions on soybean exports, concerns over trade policy and production costs, and the importance of Farm Bill updates.
Tariff refunds are underway, potentially returning billions to importers, as agriculture groups push for a larger role in trade policy and investigations.
Rising global supplies may cap soybean price strength, while sorghum prices hinge heavily on China’s export demand.
Input costs may stay elevated beyond tariff impacts.
Rising costs and prices are shifting acreage toward soybeans. Most fertilizer prices are up double digits from this time last year, with Urea seeing the largest gains.
Shaun Haney with Real Ag Radio joined us to break down the USMCA review and what Canadian producers and exporters should be watching in the months ahead.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

With the Farm Bill now in the Senate’s hands, industry groups say the stakes are high—and timely action could be critical for producers navigating a difficult economic environment.
Tennessee corn and soy farmer Josh Ogle joins us to discuss rapid planting progress in the state, improving moisture conditions, and early crop development challenges in the MidSouth region.
Paul Neiffer joined us to explain how USDA’s base acre expansion will be calculated, outline key deadlines for farmers, and discuss how the changes tie into farm program decisions and the broader Farm Bill outlook.
Chad Fiechter joins us to discuss Purdue’s precision ag study, challenges in capturing value from technology, and what farmers should consider when investing in and adopting these tools.