Policy Uncertainty Adds Risk to Farm Planning Decisions

Policy awareness is becoming part of everyday risk management.

2026BrandGuidep42-CombineInBrownField_getty-images-bJ9v3lHBcLQ-unsplash_1920x1080.jpg

Getty Images

LAKELAND, Fla. (RFD NEWS) — Government programs and policy debates are expected to heavily influence farm profitability heading into 2026.

AgAmerica Lending notes recent federal aid — including bridge assistance payments — may provide short-term relief, but does not resolve long-term margin pressure. Meanwhile, unresolved Farm Bill negotiations leave producers without clarity on future safety net programs.

Regulatory changes also remain in focus. Proposed WOTUS revisions, labor policy adjustments, and increased antitrust scrutiny of input suppliers could all alter operating costs and risk exposure.

Trade conditions add another variable. Export demand may improve slightly, but China remains unpredictable, and tariff policy could affect fertilizer and machinery expenses.

Together, these factors mean marketing decisions increasingly depend on Washington policy as much as supply and demand fundamentals.

Related Stories
Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities discusses how tensions in the Middle East are impacting producer’s spring planting decisions.
Farm Legal expert Roger McEowen discusses new dicamba regulations, compliance requirements for growers, and the evolving outlook for herbicide use.
Land values remain key to borrowing strength.
Mike Steenhoek with the Soy Transportation Coalition discusses supply chain disruptions, rising costs, and the potential impact on agriculture as farmers navigate ongoing global uncertainty.
Nebraska Farm Bureau President Mark McHargue shares the latest on the wildfires, their impact on agriculture, and the challenges farmers are facing as they navigate both natural disasters and economic uncertainty.
For producers, the cost of doing business is no longer determined solely by feed, fuel, and weather—it is increasingly a matter of navigating the differing legal philosophies of every state line they cross.

Tony St. James joined the RFD-TV talent team in August 2024, bringing a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to RFD-TV and Rural Radio Channel 147 Sirius XM. In addition to his role as Market Specialist (collaborating with Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady to provide radio and TV audiences with the latest updates on ag commodity markets), he hosts “Rural America Live” and serves as talent for trade shows.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Liquidity management and cost control will matter most in 2026.
Food demand is stable but price-sensitive across rural markets. For agriculture and rural communities, the important signal is not optimism — it is stability.
Stable blending demand continues to underpin corn use despite export volatility.
USDA headquarters downsizing reflects cost pressures and may reshape agency operations.
USDA Farmer Bridge Assistance payments could begin this weekend as producers face tight margins, shifting acreage expectations, cattle herd contraction, and growing pressure for a stronger farm safety net.
Delays on year-round E15 keep potential corn demand and fuel savings in limbo.