As the Fed works to keep inflation under control, higher interest rates have been a big part of that strategy. Research shows the Fed’s ninth district, which includes several large farm states, has seen their rates double over the last couple of years.
“Since about early 2021, interest rates for ag producers have increased around 400 basis points, and what that equates to is four percent interest. To put it into perspective, in 2021, during renewal season, a lot of ag producers were getting around four-and-a-half to 4.6 percent interest rates for their production loans. Now, in 2023, they’re being charged about eight-and-a-half percent. That’s a pretty big increase over two years. In 2023, interest expenses for ag production loans in the district totaled about $840 million. Now, to put that in comparison, in 2021, interest expenses for ag production loans were $415 million. And then, in 2022, the total interest expense paid was $490 million. So, that total interest paid in 2023 is more than double from 2021, so that’s a very large increase in two years,” said Tait Berg.
The Fed reached out to local banks in the area and found the last time interest rates were this high was around 2007.
Roger McEowen of Washburn University School of Law joined us to discuss key legal and tax issues ranchers should consider as they recover from recent prairie fires across the Southern Plains.
March 03, 2026 01:06 PM
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China may no longer serve as a consistent anchor market for U.S. cotton exports. Lewis Williamson of HTS Commodities joined us to discuss the factors influencing planting decisions, river conditions, and what producers are considering as they finalize acreage plans for the season.
March 03, 2026 07:00 AM
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Falling commodity prices and rising costs continue to squeeze farm margins. Kip Jacobs with The Mosaic Company addresses fertilizer market pressures, nutrient use efficiency, and strategies growers can consider to protect their fertilizer investment this season.
March 03, 2026 05:00 AM
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Weather Swings Shape Early Season Farm Conditions Nationwide
March 02, 2026 02:54 PM
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Kurt Kovarik of Clean Fuels Alliance America joined us to break down the latest developments in the Renewable Fuel Standard rulemaking process and what it could mean for agriculture, energy markets, and rural economies.
March 02, 2026 02:25 PM
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Jennifer Tirey of the Illinois Pork Producers Association joined us to discuss efforts to bring pork back into Chicago Public Schools, the nutritional benefits for students, and what the decision could mean for pork producers across the state.
March 02, 2026 02:23 PM
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