The farm financial outlook for 2026 remains challenging, particularly for corn and soybean growers. During the American Bankers Association Ag Lenders Conference, University of Minnesota Center for Farm Financial Management Extension Economist Pauline Van Nurden said she expects additional pressure from land rents and fertilizer. Reviewing farm financial data, Van Nurden sees dramatic differences between the high-profit and low-profit farms. “They seem to get a little better production out of their commodities. They tend to do a better job marketing overall and get a better price for their product. They also do a little bit better at cost control, so keeping costs lower, managing those input expenses, and then lastly, the efficient use of capital.”
