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Crop Insurance Decision Tool
This program calculates premiums, evaluates insurance payments, and provides historical data useful when making crop insurance decisions for multiple crops. Estimates are for crops in midwest and southeast states. Learn…
ECO/SCO Payment Estimator
Cash Rent with Bonus Worksheet
Farm Bill What-If Tool
This program calculates Agricultural Risk Coverage for County Coverage (ARC-CO), Price Loss Coverage (PLC) payments, and ARC at the Individual Level (ARC-IC). County yields and market year average (MYA) prices…
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Latest farmdoc Daily Articles
Flipping the Pyramid: Public Perceptions of New Dietary Guidelines
We use results from the most recent wave of the Gardner Food and Agricultural Policy Survey to assess perceptions of the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The majority of participants agreed that following the recommendations was important to the health of their household, with strongest support for the recommendation to “eat vegetables and fruits throughout the day.” We also find that most participants indicated following the recommendations was both realistic and affordable for their household.
Ethanol Production Profits in 2025
The U.S. ethanol industry delivered another strong year of profitability in 2025. Net returns for a representative Iowa plant averaged $0.21 per gallon, well above the long-run average of $0.13 per gallon since 2007. On an annual basis, nominal profits of $23.2 million marked the sixth consecutive year in positive territory and the sixth year since 2007 with profits exceeding $20 million. Given the headwinds facing the industry at the start of 2025, this is a genuinely impressive result.
Projected Prices and Volatility Factors for 2026
The February price discovery period has concluded and final Projected Prices and Volatility Factors for crops with a sales closing date of March 15th have been released by the Risk…
New Commodity Program Base Acres
This article summarizes information in the US Federal Register of January 12, 2026 that addresses the addition of up to 30 million new commodity base acres effective for the 2026 crop year, making them eligible for ARC (Agriculture Risk Coverage) and PLC (Price Loss Coverage) benefits. One purpose of this article is help you formulate questions. Please direct them to FSA (Farm Service Agency) as specifics matter and this article summarizes what are often detailed procedures and rules.
The U.S. Farm Machinery & Equipment Market: Sales, Inventories, and Tariff Headwinds
The U.S. farm machinery and equipment market experienced challenges across many fronts in 2025. Recent data suggests many new and used equipment sales categories continued to decline last year. Additionally,…
Now Would Seem Like a Good Time to Think Seriously About the CRP
Now would seem to be a good time to think seriously about the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). A few simple modifications might provide an important release valve for the pressures building up against row-crop farmers. The consequences of missing this opportunity could be dire for many farmers, while also ultimately very expensive for the American taxpayer. The results of inaction are likely to be painful and produce long lasting damage.
Latest Farm Policy News Articles
Fertilizer Prices Have ‘Significant’ Rise After Attack on Iran
As a result of the attack on Iran, nitrogen fertilizer at the port of New Orleans has seen an increase in price this week. Urea prices for barges in New…
Farmers Increasingly Rejecting Data Center Bids For Land
The tech industry’s relentless push for data centers is colliding with farmers who see the projects as a threat to their way of life. Despite being offered sums that often…
Attack on Iran Could Disrupt Global Fertilizer Markets
A prolonged military conflict in the Middle East could potentially upend key commodity markets due to Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important trade…
Farmers Voice Ag Economy Frustrations at Commodity Classic
The frustration in the room at Commodity Classic has been palpable following a year in 2025 where strong production was again unable to overcome swelling costs and expenses. Farmers here…
USDA to Vacate, Sell South Building as Reorg Begins
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is selling its flagship South Building office hub on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and relocating employees to other locations across the country by…


















