The last two years have been difficult for most of the farm country. Ag economists are crunching the numbers and say it is anyone’s guess what this year will bring.
“Well, I think the economy in 2025 is going to be pretty good in terms of growth and how it’s improving. I don’t think there’s going to be a recession unless something crazy happens in the world, but certainly people are still feeling the effects of all the inflation and having to work extra hard to sort of keep up with that,” said Dr. Jeff Dorfman, an economist at NC State University.
Dorfman says it will be important to pay close attention to the markets this year. He also says you should aim for value, not necessarily volume.
“The idea for any business owner is not to do as much business as possible, but to make as much money as possible. So if you can do some value-added processing, if you can cut out some middlemen, whatever you can do to improve the profitability of your operation is more important than trying just to get more acres or more yield. It’s not about how much you produce, it’s how much you make.”
Farmer sentiment has been drifting lower recently. The latest Ag Economy Barometer fell 9 points after a brief rebound.
Brooks York with AgriSompo joined us with his outlook on crop insurance and risk management following the recent winter storm that tore through most of the United States, including the Midwest.
January 26, 2026 03:30 PM
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Payment totals alone do not show financial stress — production costs and net losses complete the picture.
January 26, 2026 02:30 PM
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USDA Rural Development Director for Kentucky, Travis Burton, joined us to discuss the Princeton facility (formerly Porter Road Meats), now backed by the USDA, and its role in expanding domestic meat processing capacity.
January 23, 2026 03:39 PM
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Farm CPA Paul Neiffer joined us to break down the recent Fifth Circuit Court decision overturning a prior Tax Court decision on self-employment tax for limited partners, the ruling’s impact on farmers, and potential next steps in Congress.
January 23, 2026 02:00 PM
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Americans for Prosperity Arkansas Director Ryan Norris talks energy infrastructure, regulatory reform, and the role of critical minerals in supporting rural America.
January 23, 2026 01:54 PM
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Rural population growth and stabilizing economic indicators point to post-pandemic recovery, but uneven income, shifting industries, and regional divides remain key challenges for rural communities.
January 23, 2026 08:00 AM
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