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Ag economist weighs in on challenging grain markets

An ag economist says 2024 was a tough year for growers as grain markets continued to move lower.

Cody Bills with Farmers Business Network tells Brownfield…

“If you didn’t have a disciplined risk management plan where you were forced to sell based on timing throughout the year, a lot of producers were left feeling the full extent of this bear market and selling grain off the combine at prices much lower than what they originally penciled out when they were doing break evens this spring.”

He says he expects a lot of producers will re-evaluate risk management plans, especially with potential for new tariffs under the second Trump administration.

“You have to respect the fact that maybe you get tariffs, maybe that does impact grain prices, and so you have to stress test that in your farm situation,” he says.

Bills says tight margins are expected to continue into 2025.

Brownfield interviewed Bills at the 2024 National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention in Kansas City.

AUDIO: Cody Bills, Farmers Business Network