Input Costs & Producer Inflation
The most common mistake farmers make is waiting until a health crisis occurs to transfer the farm to their children.
Geopolitical risk is rapidly increasing fertilizer price volatility before planting.
Protecting Input Investments: Fertilizer Strategies During a Year of Falling Prices and Rising Costs
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.
Weather Swings Shape Early Season Farm Conditions Nationwide
Dry conditions may tighten hay supplies before summer growth. John Mays of Central Life Sciences joined us to discuss the risks of extended grain storage, how quality can be affected over time, and what growers can do to protect their grain while waiting for market opportunities.
High fertilizer costs and global risks threaten spring margins for growers.
From projected drops in input costs to biofuel expansion and the USDA’s new “One Farmer, One File” initiative, Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins shared key policy priorities at Commodity Classic that put farm issues back in the spotlight.
Liquidity management and cost control will matter most in 2026.
At Commodity Classic in San Antonio, growers explore new herbicide options, John Deere’s latest 8 Series tractors, and cutting-edge ag technology shaping the 2026 planting season. Here are some of RFD NEWS’ highlights from the event so far.
Higher energy costs ripple through local farm supply chains.
USDA’s 2026 Food Price Outlook projects food prices rising 3.1%, with higher beef costs and falling egg prices shaping consumer trends.
Rail consolidation could affect grain basis, freight rates, and service reliability across major producing regions.
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.
Tommy Roach with Nachurs Alpine Solutions discuss fertilizer decision-making, plant fertility strategies, and what farmers can learn at Commodity Classic.
Fertilizer still consumes an unusually large share of crop value.
Pollination costs remain volatile, raising planning risk for specialty crop producers.
The USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum highlights modest price support from tighter supplies across cotton, grains, dairy, livestock, and sugar into 2026.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order this week to accelerate domestic production of phosphorus and glyphosate, signaling that farm input availability is now treated as a national security risk.
Smaller supplies could support cotton prices despite weak demand.
Weskan Grain CEO Will Bramblett discusses the antitrust lawsuit filed by grain farmers and agribusinesses, and its potential implications on rail competition and market access.
Adequate transportation capacity exists, but fuel costs and soft river demand could widen basis risk.
Lower oil prices may trim input costs but pressure biofuel demand.