Cloud of Uncertainty: Farmers are feeling nervous and patient for the upcoming planting season

Planting season is upon us with some crops already in the ground, but Nebraska farmers say there is a cloud of uncertainty overhead.

“I think farmers are a little nervous. We’re going to have to continue to see where it is, where everything is, and we’re going to be paying very close attention as to everything that happens. Whether we’re talking about this economic program, the weather-related disaster assistance, the conversation on taxes which will be heating up, or trade and tariffs as well,” said Jordan Dux, Senior Director of National Affairs with the Nebraska Farm Bureau.

Dux says the $10 billion in economic assistance announced by USDA last week will be helpful but other groups say it is just a band-aid.

Related Stories
Structural efficiency supports cattle prices and resilience — breaking it risks higher costs and greater volatility.
Market reaction was bearish for corn and soybeans, with analysts noting that abundant supplies amid tepid demand could keep price pressure on agricultural commodities.
Logistics capacity remains available, but winter volatility favors flexible delivery and marketing plans. NGFA President Mike Seyfert provides insight into grain transportation trends, trade policy, and priorities for the year ahead.
Rising adoption of GLP-1 drugs may gradually reshape food demand, with potential downstream effects on protein markets and consumer purchasing patterns.
Leadership development and bipartisan engagement remain central to advancing agriculture’s priorities in 2026.
This simple but powerful tool from Nutrien enables farmers to keep track of highly personalized input costs and expenses involved in running their operation.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

USDA data indicates that 13.7 percent of U.S. households experienced food insecurity in 2024, the highest rate since 2014, even as most households remained food secure.
Weather, Tight Supplies, and Planning Shape Farm Decisions
Cotton demand depends on demonstrating performance and reliability buyers can rely on, not messaging alone.
Read the full press release published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Lily Pryer’s passion shows how National FFA members are making an impact in classrooms and communities all across Rural America.
A look at the legislative year ahead as lawmakers return to Washington with a slate of trade concerns to tackle in 2026—from new Chinese tariffs on beef imports to the USMCA review this summer.