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Economist says recent soybean rally could help improve farmer profitability in 2026

An ag economist at Purdue University says the recent rally in soybean prices could help improve farmer profitability in 2026. 

Michael Langemeier tells Brownfield, “With the movement we’re seeing in prices right now, it’s at least $50 per acre,” he says. “Most of that is coming from soybeans, but it’s also coming from corn. What lifts the boat for soybeans tends to lift the boat for corn.”

He tells Brownfield with China’s return to the market, he expects to see fewer corn acres.

“We’re probably going to see soybean acreage rebound from what it was the year before,” he says. “Without that agreement, we would probably be looking at above 95 billion acres of corn. That would be detrimental for corn prices.”

Langemeier says producers should take advantage of price opportunities heading into the new year.

AUDIO: Michael Langemeier, Purdue University