As rental agreements shift hands heading into the new year, Bottom Line grain analysts are urging farmers to take a close look at the fertility of any farmland they plan to rent for the 2026 season. According to the latest Bottom Line report, “Bottom Line grain analysts caution producers to check the fertility of grounds they intend to rent next year. Rental land often changes hands this time of year.”
The concern stems from reports that some rental acres have not received the level of care needed to maintain long-term productivity. As the report warns, “Some Midwest agronomists are hearing of farmland in poor condition, saying the fertility of the soil may have gone one, even two seasons without proper development and could take more than one year to build back up.” Entering a lease without assessing fertility levels could leave producers with unexpected expenses and reduced yields.
The issue is widespread, given how much farmland in the U.S. is rented. The update notes, “Data shows 40 percent of all farmland in the U.S. is rented, some counties as high as 75 to 80 percent.” With such a large share of land under rental agreements, maintaining soil health becomes a shared responsibility between tenants and landowners.
According to American Farmland Trust, “absentee owners rely on farm operators for the most part to make conservation and fertilizer decisions, so it is a two-way street.” Clear communication and upfront soil testing can help ensure both parties understand the condition of the land and the investment required to maintain or improve fertility.
In a related update, Dale Sandlin shared national news affecting the broader food supply chain. “In a story from the National Association of Farm Broadcasters, the White House ordered an investigation into food price fixing.” According to the report, “The president issued an executive order last weekend directing the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission to establish task forces on anti-competitive behavior in the food supply chain.” The investigation will assess whether foreign control of food-related industries is driving higher costs or creating national security concerns.
Audio Reporting by Mark Oppold and Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.