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Ag economist sees limited cost relief for producers

An ag economist says the current price environment is putting the squeeze on farmers.

Greg Ibendahl with Kansas State University says there aren’t many options to lower costs and doesn’t see much relief in 2026. “I’m not really sure they have a whole lot of ability to manage things to a great extent other than buying equipment less often and negotiating on rent, but when it comes to things like herbicides, you’re going to be a price taker.”

He tells Brownfield farmers could consider planting more soybeans next year. “If you are considered about fertilizer prices and kind of torn between corn and soybeans, soybeans would win out because of the cost of fertilizer it will take next year.”

Ibendahl says farm machinery makes up about 30 to 35 percent of total expenses and lowering those costs could go a long way. “Those are expenses you don’t have to cover every year because they are on the fixed costs side. You just have to make sure you cover the fixed costs.”

He says farmers should create budgets for several different scenarios to better understand their cash flow situation for 2026.

Greg Ibendahl: