February 09, 2026

Farm Income Will Fall in 2026

The USDA’s Economic Research Service forecasts that net farm income, a broad measure of profitability in the agricultural economy, is forecast to drop by 0.7 percent to $153.4 billion in 2026 compared to last year. When adjusted for inflation, net farm income is projected to decrease by $4.1 billion or 2.6 percent. Reuters said that the drop comes despite near-record government payments, which will make up almost 29 percent of producers’ bottom line. “Agency data said without those government payments, net farm income would drop almost 12 percent to $109.1 billion,” Reuters said. “Government payments are doing a lot of the work to support crop producers.” The USDA forecast said producers will receive $30.5 billion in direct support in 2025 and $44.3 billion in 2026, excluding additional payouts from federal crop insurance indemnities. “We haven’t seen these levels since 2020 and 2021 during the COVID-19 upheaval and trade disruptions during President Donald Trump’s first term,” Reuters added.

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BIVI Secures Emergency Authorization for NWS Medication

Boehringer Ingelheim announced that the Food and Drug Administration has issued an Emergency Use Authorization for using IVOMEC (Ivermectin) 1% Injection for preventing infestations of New World Screwworm in cattle. Under the Authorization, Ivermectin 1% is usable for the prevention of infestations caused by NWS larvae when administered within 24 hours of birth, at the time of castration, or at the appearance of a wound in cattle. It’s not usable in female dairy cattle producing milk for human consumption and calves that will be processed for veal. Based on the available scientific evidence, the FDA determined that there is no adequate, approved, and available alternative to the product for preventing NWS in certain cattle at these critical intervention points. “Protecting the health and well-being of livestock is at the core of our mission,” said Steve Boren, the vice president of U.S. livestock for Boehringer Ingelheim. 

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Modern Ag Alliance Issues a Report on the Modern Farmer

Modern Ag Alliance issued a report on the state of the American farmer, showing that agriculture is facing one of its most challenging periods in a generation. The report said economic pressures and activist campaigns against modern agriculture have created conditions where even the most resilient operations are feeling the strain. These pressures extend well beyond the farm gate, giving price instability across the economy for the food, fuel, and fiber that depend on agricultural production. The report shows farmers face profitability challenges, with only about half the farmers expected to be profitable in the past year. Commodity prices have dropped as high as 58 percent since 2022, and cost increases like labor and tariff-related expenses continue climbing. Farm bankruptcies have seen a 60 percent year-over-year increase, surpassing the 2024 total by mid-2025. They also said regulatory uncertainty and disconnected policymakers are making a difficult situation even harder. 

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Ag Groups Join Forces for USMCA Renewal

Forty farm and agricultural groups launched the Agricultural Coalition for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, underscoring the deal’s vital role as an economic engine for the U.S. farm economy. The groups are calling for its renewal with targeted improvements. As part of the launch, the group unveiled a new website and kicked off an aggressive ad campaign in the nation’s capital, all of which is designed to promote the benefits afforded to the U.S. ag sector as the administration approaches the mandatory 2026 review. “USMCA is one of the President’s signature achievements and has significantly propelled the ag economy,” said Bryan Goodman, a spokesperson for the new group. “We’re not saying it’s perfect, as some changes are warranted, but we are saying it is of paramount importance to farmers that all three countries renew the agreement.” The agreement has significantly increased U.S. agriculture exports to Canada and Mexico and provided more certainty between the three nations. 

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Crop Insurance Deadline Draws Near

The USDA reminds agricultural producers that the final date to apply for or make changes to their existing crop insurance coverage is quickly approaching for spring-planted crops, Whole-Farm Revenue Protection, Micro Farm, and some specialty crops. Sales closing dates vary by crop and location, but the next major sales closing dates are February 28, March 15, and April 15. Producers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the upcoming crop year. Crop insurance coverage decisions must be made on or before the applicable sales closing date. The USDA’s Risk Management Agency lists the sales closing dates in the Actuarial Information Browser under the “Dates” tab. Producers can also access the RMA Map Viewer tool to visualize the insurance program date choices for acreage reporting, cancellation, contract change, earliest planting, end of insurance, and many other choices per commodity, insurance plan, type, and practice. 

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Virginia Cattleman Takes Over as NCBA President

Virginia cattleman Gene Copenhaver takes the helm as the new president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. His new leadership role began with the end of CattleCon 2026. Copenhaver currently manages his family’s stocker operation in southwest Virginia and was an agricultural loan officer for 36 years. Copenhaver said his father taught him early to be “at the table,” especially when policy decisions were being made. About 25 years ago, he helped launch a county cattlemen’s group, which kicked off his climb from local to both state and national level involvement. “I’ll go to my grave saying our greatest strength is grassroots,” he said. “We also can’t build the future if every good year gets taxed away before we can shore up our infrastructure.” The NCBA 2026 officer team was approved by the Board of Directors and includes Kim Brackett of Idaho, the president-elect, and Vice President Skye Krebs of Oregon.

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