LAKELAND, Fla. (RFD NEWS) — Producers entering 2026 are relying more heavily on credit and operating loans as tighter margins shrink working capital across agriculture. According to AgAmerica Lending, lenders widely expect debt demand to increase as farms finance operating costs rather than profits.
Nearly 93 percent of agricultural lenders anticipate rising farm debt over the next year. U.S. farm debt already reached roughly $594 billion in 2025, while profitability expectations have dropped sharply from recent years.
Higher interest rates remain a major factor. Even with gradual easing, borrowing costs remain elevated relative to pre-pandemic levels, increasing expenses on operating lines, equipment purchases, and real estate loans. Lenders are placing greater emphasis on liquidity, repayment capacity, and sector exposure when evaluating borrowers.
Bankruptcy pressure is also building. Chapter 12 farm filings rose 55 percent in 2024 and are expected to trend higher, particularly among grain and cotton operations facing weaker margins.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Cash flow management and lender communication are becoming critical survival tools.
Tony St. James, RFD NEWS Markets Specialist
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