It is no secret that over the last few years, U.S. agricultural producers have been hit with the combination of relatively low crop prices while most of their input prices have experienced all-time highs. At the same time, livestock agriculture, especially cow-calf and dairy producers, have experienced record cattle and calf prices. The number of farm bankruptcies are rising across the South, and much like previous downturns, producers are asking for advice on how to manage their way out of this hopefully short-term economic downturn.
Following a similar product that was developed during the most recent downturn (2014-2019), 36 Agricultural Economists from the Southern Extension Economics Committee developed 24 articles that provide valuable information to producers and landowners as they attempt to navigate the current downturn. Each article was double peer reviewed to ensure the publication—entitled “Surviving the Farm Economy Downturn: 2026 Update”—provides the most up-to-date information and strategies possible. The papers were categorized into 6 distinct areas: Setting the Stage; Crop Market Outlooks; Livestock; Ag Lending/Credit/Crop Insurance; Strategies; and Resiliency.
The publication, available here, was made possible by support from the Southern Extension Risk Management Education Center, under project award Nos. 2021-70027-34722 and 2025-70027-45397, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Joe Outlaw and Bart L. Fischer Southern Ag Today
