Michael Langemeier presented at the Ag Engage Conference in Bloomington on February 19, 2026, on valuing sweat equity and adding a person to the farm.

In this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast, we launch a new mini-series: Lessons From the Delta. After traveling to Arkansas and the Mississippi Delta region, Chad Fiechter and Todd Kuethe share what stood out most about crop diversity, irrigation intensity, farm structure, and regional economics.

USDA’s first 2026 Farm Income and Wealth Statistics release provides an early look at the U.S. farm balance sheet heading into the next production cycle. Farm assets and equity are projected to grow at the slowest pace since 2019–2020, while farm debt accumulation accelerates for the third time in four years. Non-real estate assets are expected to decline, driven by reductions in livestock and crop inventories, even as machinery investment continues rising. Key efficiency ratios remain near historic lows, signaling tighter production returns relative to asset values.

Indiana corn prices averaged $4.45 per bushel in 2025, and futures markets suggest prices may remain below long-run averages into 2026. Lower grain prices imply reduced feed costs, but volatility in corn and soybean meal markets continues to create risk. This article examines recent trends in feed cost indices for farrow-to-finish and swine finishing enterprises and evaluates how changes in corn and soybean meal prices could affect feed costs in 2026.

Margins remain tight for 2026. Purdue’s latest crop budget estimates show soybean rotations maintaining a contribution margin advantage over corn, while breakeven prices for both crops remain well above expected market prices. Negative projected earnings could slow machinery purchases and put pressure on cash rents, making careful cost management and crop budgeting essential.

Farm income in Indiana gets a boost in 2025, but 2026 projections show renewed financial pressure. Here’s what’s driving receipts, expenses, and net income.

New Ag Economy Barometer data suggest rising operating loans—especially those tied to carryover debt—may signal increasing financial stress and thinning working capital cushions on farms.

Farmer sentiment dropped sharply to start 2026, reflecting growing economic concerns across U.S. agriculture. But beyond the headline decline in the Purdue/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, this episode focuses on what the shift signals for farm financial stress, investment decisions,…

Are autonomous tractors and farm automation actually cost-effective? In this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast, Chad Fiechter and Josh Strine discuss new research on the economics of large-scale autonomous farm machinery and what it means for machinery investment and…

Are autonomous machines financially competitive on today’s farms? Purdue research analyzes the real economics — from labor costs to hardware and subscription fees — and what it will take for autonomy to make sense at scale.

Adding a family member or employee to a farm is a long-term financial decision. These slides and self-assessment tools help evaluate financial feasibility, strategic risk, and business resilience before expanding labor.

The Farm Finance Lab tool helps producers use Schedule F tax data and balance sheets to quickly generate financial ratios measuring profitability, liquidity, solvency, and financial efficiency. Users can upload documents or enter values manually, explore interactive gauges, and test scenario changes to better understand financial performance. The tool is free to use and does not store any user data.

Adaptability and strong relationships are becoming essential in today’s farm economy. This Purdue Commercial AgCast episode continues the Top Farmer Conference discussion on long-term market outlooks and farm strategy.

Corn and soybean basis levels have improved across much of the Eastern Corn Belt in early 2026, though large regional differences remain. Learn what’s driving basis strength—and how to track your local opportunities using Purdue’s Crop Basis Tool.

Michael Langemeier presented at the Fort Wayne Farm Show on January 14, 2026, on crop net returns prospects and the farmland market.