Despite increases in projected production costs, particularly for fertilizers and fuel, improved pricing prospects for the 2026 and 2027 crop years result in higher per acre return projections compared with recent years. However, projected returns remain below longer-run averages. Downward price movements could quickly shift marginally positive projected returns back into the red. Pricing more than the usual amount of 2026 crop at harvest may be warranted given recent increases in prices.

Crop commodity program base acres have attracted considerable attention ever since their authorization in the 1980s (farmdoc daily, January 15, 2026; January 22, 2026; January 29, 2026; February 12, 2026;…

The U.S. farm machinery and equipment market continues to face weak demand despite some improvement in manufacturing production. Together, these indicators suggest that progress in adjusting production and inventories has not yet translated into a sustained recovery in equipment purchases. A stronger recovery will likely depend on improved farm profitability and greater confidence in committing funds to equipment replacement.

Over the last three decades, there has been substantial change in ag production practices. Currently, information and communication technology-enhanced methods and practices are being developed and tested that have the potential to substantially impact adoption of conservation practices. Could these and their associated advances in measurement foster similar levels of change in the adoption of conservation practices?

Over the last two years, administrative actions and the 2025 Farm Bill have raised to 80% the federal premium subsidy rate for area insurance added on top of individual farm insurance. Farmers responded. For the crops that USDA reports a cost of production (barley, corn, cotton, oats, peanuts, rice, sorghum, soybeans, wheat), all acres insured in all area add-on insurance products increased by 146 million acres between the 2024 and 2026 crop years.

Fertilizer price increases associated with the conflict in Iran seem likely to result in higher fertility costs for farmers for the 2027 crop year. Much attention has been given to higher nitrogen fertilizer prices. Prices for phosphate fertilizers, such as Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), have also been increasing. Today’s article links the increases in phosphate fertilizer prices to the significant increase in the price of sulfur, a primary input to the production of phosphate fertilizer products.