LAKELAND, FLORIDA (RFD NEWS) — Farmers entering 2026 will face tighter lending standards and thinner margins, meaning financial planning will be as important as production decisions, according to AgAmerica Lending analysis.
Lenders are already adjusting underwriting and loan terms as operating stress builds across agriculture. Operations with stronger liquidity management are expected to be better positioned until commodity markets stabilize and trade conditions improve.
One major strategy involves restructuring debt. Refinancing loans, extending amortization schedules, or aligning payments with revenue cycles can preserve working capital for inputs and repairs. Producers are also reassessing equipment purchases — especially combines — through shared ownership, custom harvesting, or coordinated fieldwork to reduce capital costs.
Farmland equity remains a key stabilizer. Rising land values allow producers to access longer-term credit and strengthen succession plans, an increasingly urgent issue as lenders expect more retirements in the coming year.
Many farms are also cutting risk through precision technology, improved nutrient management, labor-saving automation, and diversifying revenue streams beyond a single commodity.
Ag leaders say President Donald Trump’s State of the Union is unlikely to spark major agriculture headlines, but ongoing tariff uncertainty and trade policy remain key concerns, as does the debate around glyphosate and the status of the next Farm Bill.
February 24, 2026 11:57 AM
·
Cash flow management and lender communication are becoming critical survival tools for farmers as tightening margins increase risk and borrowing pressure.
February 24, 2026 06:00 AM
·
RFD Farm Legal & Tax expert Roger McEowen shares guidance on the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, its impact on renewable energy and agriculture, and what producers should know moving forward.
February 23, 2026 02:36 PM
·
Brooks York of AgriSompo discusses projected prices and how farmers are adapting their crop insurance strategies as the price discovery period comes to a close.
February 23, 2026 12:32 PM
·
For the broader agricultural industry, a railroad antitrust case in Kansas could lead to the dismantling of legacy regulatory shields, creating a more fluid, market-driven transportation grid that prioritizes moving crops efficiently over protecting historic rail monopolies.
February 23, 2026 11:35 AM
·
The long-term viability of a ranching operation often hinges on how effectively its owners navigate the overlapping layers of IRS regulations, state tax incentives, and USDA disaster programs.
February 20, 2026 04:43 PM
·
