Worse Before It Gets Better: Farmers express doubts about an industry turnaround this year

A lot of farmers and ranchers are looking for a rebound this year. One agronomist says he is hearing from many producers who do not know how much longer they will be in business.

“The biggest thing is, what are we going to plant to try to not only make money, but just to stay in business for another year? Because commodity prices are pretty tough right now, the acre shifts are jumping all over the place. I mean, we’re seeing cotton down a little bit, and beans and corn maybe up a little bit. But honestly, most of the guys are saying, ‘You know what, I’m just going to plant what I normally plant, to some degree, and do what I know how to do,” said Zack Webb.

Webb says he has heard a lot of talk about the current shakeups in Washington, D.C., and he tells all his clients to be patient and let the process play out.

“I think most of these guys realize that this first year is going to be tough, whether it’s tariffs or whatever, or a reduction in spending and things like that,” he said. “But I think they also realize that it’s going to take us a year or two to get to where we need to be and to fix some problems that we’ve had.”

At the end of the day, Webb says it will likely get worse before it gets better.

Related Stories
Led by Sen. Rand Paul, lawmakers aim to prevent a November federal hemp ban, advocating for state control as farmers face planting uncertainties.
Product targets nutrient loss while supporting plant growth
After a challenging year, Georgia pecan growers are looking ahead with cautious optimism as costs and global tensions weigh on the future of the crop.
A prolonged Iran ceasefire offers limited relief as fertilizer concerns persist, prompting U.S. policy shifts and driving farmers to reconsider crop acreage.
California rewards low-carbon ethanol, not higher blending volumes.
Shells from restaurants are collected, cleaned, and returned to the water, where they can support new growth.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

In honor of Oral Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Jeffrey Gold shares how disparities in dental care impact rural Americans and why early detection is important.
While the Farm Bill is top of mind right now, it is far from the only issue getting attention in Washington.
Lewie Pugh, with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, discusses EPA DEF system changes and what they mean for the supply chain and fuel costs.
JBS says the plant is now operating at full capacity as plant workers return to work.
Rising costs and prices are shifting acreage toward soybeans. Most fertilizer prices are up double digits from this time last year, with Urea seeing the largest gains.
A Nebraska rancher says his land may not support cattle this year after 2,000 acres were burned in recent devastating wildfires across the state.
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.