Southern Ag Today has released its annual review of the past crop year, offering a detailed look at the realities row crop producers faced across the Southeast. According to the publication, “row crop producers across the south faced another difficult year in 25.” Weather remained one of the most significant challenges, creating major variability in yields from one region to another.
Southern Ag Today noted that “weather challenges led to wide yield variations across much of the region.” Even where yields were relatively strong, farmers struggled to maintain profitability. Low commodity prices combined with high input costs created another year of extremely tight margins, with the publication reporting conditions “leaving many operations near or below break-even for the third straight year.”
Producers also saw notable acreage shifts as they adapted to market pressures. According to the review, “shifts in average was common, with corn gaining ground at the expense of cotton and in some areas soybeans.” This shift reflects the broader financial stress affecting row crop farming throughout the Southeast.
Financial strain continues to deepen heading into the 2026 season. Southern Ag Today emphasized that “financial stress… remains a major concern heading into 2026, and has limited storage capacity as well.” In addition to those challenges, “tighter credit conditions, and low prices continue to pressure farm profits.” Many operations are facing restricted access to capital at a time when production costs remain historically high.
To provide a more detailed picture of conditions across the region, Southern Ag Today enlisted economists from multiple states to contribute their insights. In Georgia, the report highlighted historical production trends and signaled upcoming changes. Economists there stated, “in the five-year average, they have produced 44% cotton, 28% peanuts, 16% corn, 7% wheat, and 5% soybeans, and that will change this year.”
As producers prepare for the 2026 season, the review underscores a Southeast farm economy grappling with ongoing volatility. Weather unpredictability, input cost pressure, market weakness, and credit tightening continue to shape decision-making for row crop growers across the region.
Audio Reporting by Tyron Spearman for Southeast AgNet.