News

Stakes high as farmers manage record costs

The stakes have arguably never been higher as farmers face unprecedented costs. 

Iowa Farm Bureau president Brent Johnson says inflation continues to be a huge challenge.

“When your common citizen is experiencing 7 to 8 percent inflation, farmers were experiencing 50 to 300 percent inflation on their inputs.”

Speaking to Brownfield at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines Tuesday, he said strong commodity prices have helped.

“But here we are at this point of time right now where our risk-reward is as high as it’s ever been.”

And the northwest Iowa corn and soybean grower says grain markets have slipped.

“They’re well below breakeven because of that inflation cost, so we’ve got to have some corrections in one form or another.”

Johnson says while some inputs are more affordable, this will be the most expensive crop ever grown.