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.
Ag Committee Chairman Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson has referred to the proposal as “Farm Bill 2.0.”
February 13, 2026 10:25 AM
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AFBF Economist Samantha Ayoub discusses the latest data on Chapter 12 farm bankruptcy filings and what the troubling trend signals for the farm economy. At the same time, bigger loans and higher rates are squeezing working capital and increasing financial risk.
February 12, 2026 04:26 PM
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Farm numbers still favor small operations, but production, resilience, and risk management are increasingly concentrated among fewer, larger farms.
February 12, 2026 12:16 PM
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The USDA opened a new sterile fly-dispersal facility at Moore Air Base in South Texas to prevent a potential outbreak of New World screwworm and protect the small U.S. cattle herd.
February 12, 2026 10:47 AM
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While access to China remains uncertain, U.S. beef exporters are finding resilience and opportunity in other global markets, which could help maintain industry value and expand export opportunities.
February 11, 2026 02:41 PM
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American Farmland Trust shares guidance, research, and policy solutions to help farmers navigate the growing threat of PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” contaminating U.S. farmland.
February 11, 2026 02:24 PM
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