The Warning from Corn and Soybean Leaders

Leaders for two critical agricultural industries for the United States, corn and soybeans, are warning leaders in Washington, D.C. that they need help soon. The leaders say producers can’t sustain depressed prices and inflated costs year after year. They need assistance in finding new markets to increase demand and bring in much needed revenue.

“NCGA is asking elected officials, members of industry, and agricultural representatives to come together to identify and advance solutions that will improve the troubling economic situation for farmers and rural America,” The National Corn Growers Association said in its request. 

The National Corn Growers Association said that it has 36,000 dues-paying corn growers in 48 states, and that the organization represents more than 500,000 farmers.

Falling Corn Prices Since 2022

“At a time when many corn farmers are facing a reality of losing money after yet another year of hard work,” said Illinois farmer and NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr, “it is essential that we examine all factors contributing to the economic hardships facing corn growers.”

Corn prices have collapsed by more than 50% since their 2022 peak. Those heavy losses have not been offset by the slight drop in production costs, which have declined by 3% over the past three years.

The NCGA points out the serious financial implications for growers: farmers are losing 85 cents per bushel. That could worsen with a possible record yield, even lower prices, and higher costs.

The NCGA has a series of requests for the Trump Administration and the Republican-led Congress:

1.      Boost demand

2.      Higher blends of available ethanol

3.      Increase foreign market access

The NCGA pointed out the troubling trend about the increase in farm bankruptcies.

“Lower government payments in recent years paired with declining prices and sustained high costs, even when adjusted for inflation, coincide with the rising trend in Chapter 12 bankruptcies from the low point in 2023. In 2024, there were 216 Chapter 12 Bankruptcy filings. This was up from 139 in 2023 and broke what had been a downward trend since 2019. In the first half of 2025 there were 181 Chapter 12 Bankruptcy filings, well ahead of 115 at the same point in 2024, signaling growing farm financial pressures.”

RELATED: This state has seen farm bankruptcies rise quite a bit recently.

Soybean Leaders Ask for Help from Trump Administration

“U.S. soybean farmers are standing at a trade and financial precipice,” American Soybean Association President Caleb Ragland wrote in a letter to President Donald Trump. 

Trump has had a years-long feud with China’s leaders. China has recently responded by avoiding American soybeans. That boycott has China increasingly turning to Brazil, but also to Argentina and Uruguay. It is the country’s way of showing its opposition to Trump’s global trade war.   

The American Soybean Association states that it represents 30 soybean-producing states and more than 500,000 soybean farmers.

The ASA pointed out how dependent American producers have been on Chinese consumers.

Importance of China on U.S. Soybean Market

“Historically, the U.S. has been a primary soybean supplier to China. In the seven years leading up to the 2018 trade war, an average of 28% of U.S. soybean production was exported to China, with a peak of 31% recorded in marketing year (MY) 2020/21 following the Phase One Trade Agreement,” the ASA reported.

The association showed what is at stake with Trump’s trade war with China:

“During the seven years preceding the trade war, U.S. soybean exports to China accounted for an average of 60% of total U.S. soybean exports.”

In his letter to President Trump, Ragland laid out how dire the situation is for American soybean producers without any purchases from China.

Ragland wrote, “China has not purchased any U.S. soybeans for the months ahead as we quickly approach harvest. The further into the autumn we get without reaching an agreement with China on soybeans, the worse the impacts will be on U.S. soybean farmers.”

RELATED: This lays out the record harvests expected for corn and soybeans in 2025.