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2023 crop one of the most expensive raised, Iowa farmer says

An eastern Iowa farmer says inflation, rising interest rates, and high input costs have been some of his biggest challenges in 2023.

“This crop we’re harvesting right now was a very expensive crop to put in,” said Logan Lyon of Muscatine and Scott counties.

Lyon says producers need some relief heading into the spring. “As we’re making decisions for the 2024 crop, there’s some optimism on how prices look as far as nitrogen, P&K, and seed costs.”

But he tells Brownfield, “This crop we’re going to be planting next spring will feel less expensive, but we don’t necessarily have the commodity prices to back it.”

Lyon says volatility in the commodity markets has made it more difficult to manage risk.