Current projections indicate that wheat followed by double-crop soybeans will be more profitable in 2027 than either corn or stand-alone soybeans in southern Illinois. Wheat-double-crop soybeans generated the highest operator…

Results from August 2026 Ag Economy Barometer highlight that farmland ownership is motivated by more than current financial returns. Family or sentimental reasons were the primary motivation for 45% of respondents, while another 32% identified long-term investment as their main reason for owning farmland. Only 22% selected current income. These motivations are consistent with producers’ broader views of farmland as an asset.

Echoes of a failed vote on an unfinished Farm Bill can still be heard, although the rumble of much bigger news tends to drown them out. As just one example,…

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.