NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD-TV) — New data this week offers a look at what the agriculture sector could face next year. CoBank’s 2026 Year Ahead Report identifies several areas it believes will shape the industry.
On the grain side, CoBank estimates a global oversupply. They warn U.S. farmers will face many hard choices before spring planting. For proteins, economists said heavier carcasses and smarter feeding will be key priorities in the year ahead.
Regarding the overall economy, CoBank said core inflation will likely soften further in the second half of the year. Economists also expect more interest rate cuts in 2026, following three modest cuts in 2025.
Digital infrastructure is also a key component of the report. CoBank reports a surge in demand for data centers, and rural towns are often ideal locations. While there has been pushback, they say companies like Microsoft and Amazon are writing big checks to be part of those communities, forecasting that communities rejecting data center projects could trigger significant financial losses for rural areas in the months and years ahead.
READ MORE: CoBank - Ample global supplies and trade uncertainty will burden markets in 2026
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Expanding chicken supplies are likely to keep prices under pressure in early 2026 despite steady demand growth.
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Reduced winter placements indicate tighter fed cattle supplies and greater leverage during peak-demand months.
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Farmer Bridge payments are being used primarily to reduce debt and protect cash flow, not drive new spending. Curt Blades with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers joined us to provide insight into the ag equipment market and the factors influencing sales.
January 08, 2026 08:00 AM
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Rail strength is helping stabilize grain movement, but river and export slowdowns continue to limit overall logistics momentum.
January 08, 2026 06:00 AM
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Retail pricing confirms tight cattle supplies and supports continued leverage for producers, reinforcing the need for disciplined risk management.
January 07, 2026 06:00 PM
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Long-term demand uncertainty is reshaping specialty crop strategies as producers adapt to fewer, older consumers.
January 07, 2026 08:01 AM
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Seasonal boxed beef softness does not change the tight-supply outlook — leverage remains closer to the farm gate heading into 2026.
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Trade uncertainty—especially regarding soybeans—continues to weigh on future outlooks, even as farm finances and land values remain resilient.
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