After a challenging 2025, Iowa farmers are heading into 2026 with tighter margins, higher interest costs, growing market uncertainty and some forecasts showing a 24% decrease in net farm income. To help farmers navigate those pressures, Iowa Farm Bureau will host a six-stop Ag Market Outlook Meeting Series across the state this February.

The series will examine current drivers in the grain and livestock markets and how tariffs, interest rates and price inflation are affecting ag financing decisions. Farm Bureau Financial Services will discuss 2026 crop insurance considerations, as well as risk management tools such as Livestock Risk Protection.  The session will also cover farm transition and succession planning.

Speakers will vary by location and include Carol Jensen, Luana Savings Bank vice president; Nic Klein, Central Bank agricultural lending officer; Dr. Christopher Pudenz, Iowa Farm Bureau economics and research manager; Zach Brummer, Iowa Farm Bureau farmer education program manager; Erin Herbold-Swalwell, Farm Bureau Financial Services senior counsel; and Angie Horn, Zach Hyland and Shelby Oetting, Farm Bureau Financial Services regional crop consultants.

Meeting locations and dates are as follows:

  • Northwest Iowa Community College, Sheldon on Monday, Feb. 16 from 7:45 to 10:45 a.m.
     
  • Wall Lake Community Center, Wall Lake on Monday, Feb. 16 from 12:45–3:45 p.m.
     
  • Dunlap Four County Fairgrounds, Dunlap on Tuesday, Feb. 17 from 9:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
     
  • Northeast Iowa Community College, Calmar on Tuesday, Feb. 24 from 7:45–10:45 a.m.
     
  • Jones County Farm Bureau, Anamosa on Tuesday, Feb. 24 from 12:45–3:45 p.m.
     
  • Cambridge Building on the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Fairfield on Wednesday, Feb. 25 from 5–8:15 p.m.

“Farmers are making decisions in an environment with a lot more unknowns than we’ve seen in recent years,” said Brummer. “Iowa Farm Bureau wants to provide farmers with a relevant look at how rising input costs, tariff volatility and global uncertainty are affecting profitability—and what steps they can take now to manage risk going into 2026.”

Registration is free for Iowa Farm Bureau members. Non-members interested in attending are encouraged to contact their local county Farm Bureau or become a member at www.iowafarmbureau.com. All meetings include a catered meal, coffee bar and educational materials. For registration assistance or additional information, contact Ashley Lennon at alennon@ifbf.org.