As farmers prepare to get the 2026 crop in the ground, attention is turning to both demand and costs, and how the balance between the two could shape the year ahead.
In an interview with the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said efforts are underway to address rising input costs while also working to strengthen demand for U.S. commodities.
Rollins pointed to fertilizer, fuel, and labor as key cost factors that continue to impact farm profitability. She said efforts to stabilize or reduce those inputs could help improve margins, especially as producers make decisions heading into the growing season.
At the same time, she highlighted expectations for stronger export demand for both corn and ethanol, which could provide additional support to markets if those projections hold.
Rollins said expanding domestic demand will also be important, identifying year-round E15 as a key priority. Supporters say broader availability of E15 could increase ethanol usage and strengthen demand for corn across the Midwest.
Increased ethanol demand could also support local grain markets, offering more consistent opportunities for producers throughout the year.
Rollins said both sides of the equation—costs and demand—will be important to watch as the season approaches.
For farmers, that balance could play a major role in marketing decisions later this year, especially as they evaluate input expenses, pricing opportunities, and overall risk heading toward harvest.
