LAKELAND, Fla. (RFD NEWS) — Farm balance sheets remain stable heading into 2026 largely because farmland real estate values continue supporting collateral and borrowing capacity even as income weakens.
AgAmerica Lending reports that farmland appreciation slowed in 2025 but remains historically strong. Only a few Midwest areas saw modest declines of two to three percent despite lower commodity prices.
This stability helps producers access credit, but it does not solve profitability challenges. Grain and cotton operations face the most financial pressure due to high costs and softer markets, while livestock — especially beef and poultry — remains comparatively stronger.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Land equity protects solvency but does not replace profitability.
Tony St. James, RFD NEWS Markets Specialist
Lenders are increasingly distinguishing between equity strength and income performance. Farms may appear financially healthy on paper, yet struggle to generate enough operating income to cover expenses and debt payments.
Strong land values, therefore, act as a buffer rather than a cure, buying time while producers adjust marketing, spending, and risk strategies.
The start of the review of the most important ag law and tax developments of 2023—that is the topic of today’s Firm to Farm blog post by RFD-TV agri-legal expert Roger A. McEowen
January 04, 2024 12:20 PM
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Just how much are probate fees? How are they determined? That is the topic of today’s Firm to Farm blog post by RFD-TV’s Agri-Legal Expert Roger A. McEowen.
December 12, 2023 11:23 AM
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The distinction between co-tenancy and joint tenancy and why it matters — is the topic of today’s Firm to Farm blog post by RFD-TV Agri-Legal Expert Roger McEowen.
December 11, 2023 02:13 PM
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What are the relative advantages and disadvantages of the split-interest transaction? And what are the rules when property that was acquired in a split-interest transaction is sold? That is the topic of today’s blog post by RFD-TV Agri-Legal Expert Roger McEowen.
November 02, 2023 09:00 AM
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A split-interest transaction involves one party acquiring a temporary interest in the asset (such as a term certain or life estate), with the other party acquiring a remainder interest. That is the topic of today’s Firm to Farm blog post by RFD-TV Agrilegal Expert Roger A. McEowen.
November 01, 2023 09:00 AM
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As I try to catch up on my writing after being on the road for a lengthy time, I have several recurring themes in my legal work. Another potpourri of random ag law and tax issues — that is the topic of today’s Firm to Farm blog post by RFD-TV Agrilegal Expert Roger McEowen.
October 31, 2023 02:21 PM
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