Midwest Agriculture and Trade

Midwest soybean farmers — including producers in Nebraska, Iowa and North Dakota — are entering 2026 under intensifying financial strain as a mix of tariffs, fallout from the Iran war and rising input and land costs squeeze margins. Farmers report sharply higher prices for fertilizer, seed, chemicals, parts and equipment while crop prices remain depressed; Nebraska Soybean Association chair Doug Bartek says markups have been "drastic" and that three-quarters of his 2,000 acres are rented with rents rising. North Dakota Soybean Growers president Justin Sherlock warns of "another year of negative returns" for many producers in 2026, reflecting a cash squeeze that comes as global market conditions limit farmers' ability to pass costs on.