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Proactive management helping farmers weather financial storm

The chief credit officer with Farm Credit Illinois says producers that are proactively managing their bottom line seem to be weathering the current financial storm better than their counterparts.

Mike Gunderson tells Brownfield, “Producers that made good decisions in ‘25 came out of that season in a really good position for ‘26. I think if folks know their budgets, if they’re managing their equipment fleet, if they’re making sure each acre they run over is profitable, they’re in a good position, but there are others that are still struggling.”

He says most producers are counting on a bountiful 2026 harvest.

“Folks that know their budgets and their break evens, they probably have some opportunity to lock in some profit.”  He says, “They’re looking forward to seeing how the crop finishes out. I think yields will be pretty variable around the state.”

Gunderson says these cycles show why it’s important producers have a good relationship with their ag lending specialist.

“If you have a bug in your field or a disease in your field, you call your agronomist because you trust them.”  He says, “Hopefully if you’re having a challenge on your balance sheet or on your cash flow, you trust your lender, give them a call and they can walk you through it and identify some areas to focus in on.”

Brownfield spoke with Gunderson at the 2026 Illinois State Fair.

AUDIO: Mike Gunderson – Farm Credit Illinois