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Ag economists expects 2026 to be another challenging year for crop producers

An ag economist expects another challenging year for row crop producers. 

Ben Brown with the University of Missouri Extension says corn and soybean prices are expected to remain below the cost of production in 2026.

“I see an opportunity for some price increases over the next five to six weeks,” he says. “Based on where we see expectations of U.S. planted acreage and yield, prices will fall through the remainder of 2026.”

He tells Brownfield there are opportunities for prices to improve.

“We would have to have policy intervention to be able to move higher,” he says. “Could we get E-15 passed and maybe get another half a billion bushels of corn demand from that? I think that’s a possibility. Same thing with some of the soybean and vegetable oils as it relates to renewable diesel production.”

Brown says producers should continually work to improve price efficiency and cost structure throughout the rest of the year.

Brownfield interviewed Brown during the 2026 Purdue Top Farmer Conference.

AUDIO: Ben Brown, University of Missouri Extension