Farmers are approaching key decisions as the 2026 growing season nears, according to Iowa State University Extension farm management specialist Eric Weuve.
This week concludes the crop insurance risk price discovery period, with coverage decisions due soon. Weuve encourages producers to review policy changes, including adjustments to subsidy rates, and visit with their crop insurance agents.
“Here in just a couple of weeks, we’ll have to be making our crop insurance decisions for the 2026 growing season. Just encourage producers to start those conversations with their crop insurance providers because there have been some modifications and changes in subsidy rates and things. So people may make different crop decisions on the insurance side this year than they may have in previous years. And so something new to think about and visit with your crop insurance advisor there.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture projects 94 million corn acres for 2026, down about 5 million from last year. Soybean acreage is expected to rise to roughly 85 million acres.
Market movement could hinge on weather or global production issues. Weuve says now is also a key window for grain marketing.
“Our carry out stocks are certainly ample and so anything that could positively or negatively impact supply in our current situation are going to be the things that move our grain markets and so kind of keep an eye on that if you’re wondering what might move some markets it’s likely to be some production issues whether it’s South American soybean harvest or delayed planting with their second crop corn or closer to the Midwest, spring planting season, some hiccups along those lines could cause markets to move accordingly, right? So if people haven’t been making any sales into the soybean side, it may not hurt to consider looking into doing that.”
Weuve adds that corn has been trading in a sideways pattern, while soybeans have seen a recent bounce tied to potential trade developments with China.
Full interview below
