The volatile commodities markets over the past 12 months, along with expected increases in input costs for the 2022 crop, makes it critical that farmers determine their costs, develop marketing plans and keep in close contact with their lenders to discuss changing conditions, Iowa ag bankers said.

“Every ag banker will al­­ways tell farmers to know their breakeven costs and their crop insurance guarantees, but it’s even more important in a year like this,” said John Rosenboom, executive vice president of Heartland Bank in Manson. 

Working with lenders and others to determine cost of production and knowing breakeven...