A recent survey by Farm Futures looking into early planting indications found that despite low prices, farmers are expected to increase grain acres in 2025. Pam Caraway, Executive Editor of Farm Futures says some farmers are planning to take that out of their wheat acres, or from growing farm acres. Caraway adds that these December survey findings could change based on political and price shifts.
“Any trade issues or barriers, particularly with the new administration, could significantly impact the plans that farmers have because they can impact their prices. When we look at what trade does for our supply and demand, which dictates prices, we see that US corn has been sending out about 15% of its production, which doesn’t sound like a lot until you look at how many bushels of corn we produce. We’re significantly over 90 million acres in any given year. The same goes for soybeans, although we ship out about half of our soybeans,” says Caraway.
Another factor farmers are watching is the impact of the South American crop.
“Particularly Brazil and Argentina, have been increasing their production. At this point, it looks like they’re having a really good year in soybean, the safrinha corn crop could also be good,” says Caraway. “We don’t know where that’s headed yet. And if we look at that, we’re looking at a global supply situation that is going to put downward pressure on prices as well.”
Farm Futures will survey farmers again in March about their planting intentions.
