The increasing political tensions between Russia and Ukraine could have far-reaching impacts on U.S. farmers by disrupting Black Sea shipping channels and roiling energy markets, according to Iowa Farm Bureau Senior Economist Sam Funk. 

“It has the potential to dampen international market demand and increase the cost of production because of tighter inputs from key suppliers,” he said. 

Grain markets are already on edge with tight global supplies and the uncertainty in production, Funk said. The situation has raised some commodity prices, but downside potential exists with rising global geopolitical threats, he said. That risk makes the prospects for locking in profits extremely...