By Scout Nelson
Nebraska crop producers head into harvest with record yields but face deep financial uncertainty from falling prices and trade disputes. Many plan to store grain rather than sell it because corn and soybean prices remain far below production costs.
Corn prices are projected near $3.90 a bushel, yet many current sales hover closer to $3.30. Soybeans are expected to be around $10.10, but production costs near $11.80 leave little chance for profit. Input costs remain high, tightening budgets and making it hard for producers to break even.
Despite early year drought worries, a wet summer helped create what could be a record corn crop. The USDA forecasts 1.93 billion bushels, a seven percent increase from last year. Most fields are rated fair to excellent, although some southeast areas report pest and disease concerns such as southern rust.
Trade tensions intensify the challenge. China, historically the state’s largest buyer of corn and soybeans, has shifted purchases to other countries. Replacing that market would require multiple new trade deals, leaving producers waiting for better opportunities while grain piles grow in storage.
Federal action remains slow. The Farm Bill, originally expiring in 2023, remains stalled, and discussions about realistic farm policy have yet to advance. In the meantime, national leaders approved the Big Beautiful Bill this summer, boosting crop insurance and commodity price floors while reducing food assistance spending.
Earlier federal relief from the Inflation Reduction Act helped some producers, but payments for the 2025 crop year will not arrive until late 2026, creating a difficult financial gap.
Agricultural policy experts note that strong cattle prices and previous aid soften the statewide outlook, but crop growers still face rising costs, delayed support, and uncertain export markets. Many will rely on storage and short-term sales to navigate another tough year.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-fotokostic
Categories: Nebraska, Business, Crops, Corn, Soybeans, Weather