Some U.S. farmers are facing mounting financial pressure from high input costs and tight margins, but broader agriculture remains relatively stable, according to Kansas City Fed economist Nate Kauffman. He discusses how strong farmland values, prior years of solid income, and government support are helping buffer the sector, though corn and soybean producers in the Midwest face heightened risk if challenges persist.

The rapid adoption of GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy is reducing overall food consumption, creating new demand challenges for U.S. potato growers. Jamey Higham, president and CEO of the Idaho Potato Commission, says the shift could deepen potato oversupply and force growers to better align production and marketing with changing eating habits.

Bill Devens explains how the Global AgInvesting World Summit 2026 in New York City is shifting its focus based on investor feedback and evolving market priorities. The event will expand to three days and adopt a more thematic structure, emphasizing sustainability, natural capital, climate, and broader macroeconomic forces shaping agriculture.Devens notes the conference is also separating agriculture and timber into more distinct tracks after recognizing differences in investor interest. The changes reflect a wider shift toward understanding capital flows, the ag value chain,and the full food system beyond farmland alone.

Brad Zaun, a former Iowa state senator and current regional leader for the Small Business Administration, said the agency is expanding access to capital in rural areas through loan programs with up to 90% guarantees. The efforts focus on agriculture, food systems, and small businesses, including increasing competition in meat processing and coordinating federal and local resources to support rural economic recovery.

Curt Covington of AgAmerica Lending says financial pressure is building across U.S. agriculture, with farmland values in parts of the West already declining 10–20%. He points to cash flow challenges, higher interest rates, and tighter credit as key factors affecting producers, with some farmers running out of liquidity. He discusses how regional differences are significant, with West Coast specialty crops facing ongoing strain while Midwest farmers contend with lower commodity prices. Despite these pressures, some sectors like cattle and high-quality farmland continue to show stronger demand.

Mark Mueller said a recent White House event did not include an announcement on year-round E15, instead focusing on additional farmer aid. In this week’s podcast, Mark and Dave discuss current corn supply levels, including an estimated 2 billion bushel carryout, and the role ethanol policy plays in demand. Mueller noted that E15 is currently allowed through seasonal waivers but not on a permanent, year-round basis. He said expanding E15 availability is one option being discussed to increase domestic corn usage.

Brian Reisinger, author "Land Rich Cash Poor," and Davediscuss how rural economic realities, like high input costs, volatile commodity prices, and rising interest rates, are shaping conversations with farmers ahead of the 2026 midterms. Reisinger says both political parties risk missing rural voters if they fail to focus on these day-to-day financial pressures. He adds that national political messaging often overlooks how policy decisions directly impact local farm economies.

Joshua Manske, a former professional golfer raised on a fifth-generation farm in north central Iowa, has returned to agriculture following the end of his golf career due to injury. Growing up in a family deeply rooted in farming and land stewardship, Manske maintained a connection to agriculture even while competing internationally. Today, he manages a diversified set of roles that include farming, farmland management, farm real estate, and participation in his family’s drainage business. His path reflects both the continuity of generational agriculture and the evolving, multi-faceted nature of modern farm livelihoods.

As renewable energy projects expand across rural America, many landowners are weighing the benefits of wind and solar leases against concerns from neighbors and local officials. Jeff Risley, executive director of Renewable Energy Farmers of America, says the key question for many farmers seeking financial stability in a volatile agricultural economy is how to find reasonable compromises that allow development while addressing community concerns.

Dave and Ethan talk about how a little-known tax strategy called a 721 exchange could help farmland owners exit land ownership without triggering immediate capital gains taxes. Ethan Branscum of Sower Farmland explains how the structure allows landowners to contribute farmland into apartnership in exchange for units in a diversified farmland portfolio. The approach can also make it easier for families to divide ownership among heirs while still generating income from agriculture.