NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD-TV) — Producers are closing out 2025 facing deep financial losses and no approved disaster aid from Washington, even as projected income shortfalls exceed last year’s. High input costs and weak commodity prices are squeezing margins across nearly every major crop, leaving many farms relying on operating credit and off-farm income to bridge into 2026.
Analysis from Dr. Bart Fischer at Texas A&M’s Agriculture and Food Policy Center shows all major commodities tracked by USDA are projected to lose more than $100 per acre this year, with rice losses roughly doubling last year’s levels. Soybeans are the lone crop with slightly better price prospects thanks to a new trade agreement with China, yet projected returns remain firmly negative.
On the ground, growers are wrestling with cash-flow shortfalls, bigger operating loans, and pressure from rising land rents and stubborn input costs. After eight years of ad hoc disaster aid, many producers are wary of more one-off checks, but see few alternatives in the current price environment.
Regions heavily dependent on row crops are feeling the most acute strain, while specialty crops such as sugar also face substantial losses that fall outside traditional commodity support benchmarks. Meanwhile, lingering trade uncertainty continues to cloud export-driven areas.
Looking ahead, the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act (OBBBA) will strengthen the farm safety net beginning with the 2025 crop year, but most payments won’t arrive until October 2026. Without interim assistance, Fischer warns the gap between current losses and future support could force more restructuring, asset sales, or exits from farming.
Farm-Level Takeaway: 2025 row-crop losses are outpacing last year. With no disaster aid yet approved, many operations face a tough financial bridge to 2026 even as Farm Bill improvements remain a year away.
Tony St. James, RFD-TV Markets Specialist
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent last week said an announcement would be made on Tuesday. However, that self-imposed deadline has now passed.
October 08, 2025 11:19 AM
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George Baird, with the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA), joins us with updates on how this year’s rice harvest is shaping up.
October 07, 2025 03:12 PM
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Expect firm demand for dependable HRS and SW, steady movement in HRW, more sorting on SRW, and selective bids on durum until full milling results are released.
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RFD-TV Farm Legal and Tax Expert Roger McEowen with the Washburn School of Law dives into a “potpourri” of ag tax and law-related issues in his latest
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October 07, 2025 02:56 PM
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Dr. Todd Davis, Chief Economist with the Indiana Farm Bureau, shares a snapshot of his state’s harvest conditions and insights from producers.
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Market analyst Kevin Huddleston said news of trade deals could rebound cotton prices in late fall, and producers need to be ready to strike deals.
October 07, 2025 02:05 PM
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Lewis Williamson, from HTS Commodities, joined us to share insights on the farm economy from producers in the field.
October 07, 2025 12:47 PM
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Key signs of the U.S. beef herd’s recovery are improved pasture conditions, lower feed costs, and increased regulatory alignment and support for producers to implement targeted grazing practices.
October 07, 2025 12:35 PM
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Dr. Mark Svoboda with the National Drought Mitigation Center discusses a new global drought report and resources to help operations increase drought resilience.
October 07, 2025 11:58 AM
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