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Kansas farmer: “Empty promises” leaving producers in state of uncertainty

A farmer in southern Kansas says the current state of the ag economy has left many producers in a state of confusion and concern.

“Empty promises are about all that we can get.”

James Moreland operates a diversified row-crop and livestock operation south of Wichita near the Oklahoma border. He tells Brownfield the partial federal government shutdown is the last thing farmers and ranchers need. “We can’t manage what we don’t know. You hear of potential programs coming out. There was a continuation of a program announced last week (ECAP), but the money won’t be distributed because the government isn’t open and functioning.”

He says the economic situation for soybean growers is getting worse without China in the marketplace for the U.S. crop. “We’ve got to get along with them and move forward so we can have a market for our quality beans.”

Moreland says there is even more uncertainty for the 2026 crop year due to record fertilizer costs. “Questions get raised for inputs. How many you want to use and what you can do to cut the costs. There’s only so many things you can do to be productive.”

He says he plans to cut back on phosphorus and nitrogen applications for the fall and move to a targeted, in season approach.