Managing Through a Rough Patch in Agriculture Credit

Low crop prices, declining demand in some overseas markets, and higher operating costs are pressuring U.S. farmers at a time when tariff policies are introducing uncommon volatility into the industry’s typically predictable growth and retrenchment cycle. For ag lenders, it’s time for engaging borrowers early in discussions about capital needs and cash flow, says Jackson Takach, chief economist and vice president of strategy, research and analytics at Farmer Mac.