An eastern Iowa farmer says profitability is his biggest concern heading into the 2026 growing season.
Robb Ewoldt, who’s also a farmer-leader with the United Soybean Board, tells Brownfield, “It’s on every farmers’ mind right now,” he said. “It’s very challenging times for whether you’re in corn or soybeans. It’s very challenging trying to stay profitable and trying to keep that lender satisfied. That’s the main goal.”
He says an increase in domestic demand for U.S. ag products should be a focus in the coming year.
“We are investing a lot of dollars when it comes to soybean meal inclusion into feed rations for hogs. We’re doing a lot of research where we’ve partnered with Iowa Soybean Association and also Iowa State University.”
Ewoldt says there are some opportunities that soy oil could help boost farm income.
“Trying to get them to be the preferred feedstock when it comes to renewable diesel or sustainable aviation fuel. And biodiesel obviously.”
