News · September 27, 2026
Fourth Year of Row-Crop Losses Raises Farm Bill Pressure
Most row-crop farmers are expected to lose money in 2026 for a fourth straight year, sharpening calls for stronger commodity safety nets in a new Farm Bill.
TL;DR: Most U.S. row-crop farmers are expected to lose money in 2026 for the fourth straight year, NPR reported September 25, as retail diesel hits a record near $6.50 per gallon at harvest. The losses intensify pressure on Congress to pass H.R. 7567 with stronger commodity safety nets before the current extension expires September 30.
Key takeaway
Row-crop farmers face a fourth consecutive year of losses in 2026, hardening the economic case for stronger commodity title provisions in a new Farm Bill.
What happened
Most farmers who grow row crops are expected to lose money in 2026, the fourth consecutive year of losses, NPR reported on September 25. A Farm Bureau economist told NPR that farmers are "paying way more to grow a crop and not making near enough for it."
The losses come as input costs stay elevated. Retail diesel has reached approximately $6.50 per gallon, a record high, arriving during harvest season, the heaviest fuel-use period of the year. KCUR reported that global conflicts involving Iran and Russia are driving the diesel spike.
Some farmers who stocked up on diesel during a brief summer price dip are still facing record costs at harvest, according to KCUR. Elevated diesel and fertilizer prices are compressing margins at the same time the current farm bill extension is set to expire September 30.
The squeeze is sharpening the case for updated commodity title provisions in a new Farm Bill. You can compare the proposed changes against current law in our breakdown of what's new versus the 2018 Farm Bill.
What it means
The commodity title is the part of the Farm Bill that funds price and income safety nets for row crops such as corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, and rice. When market prices fall below statutory reference prices, or when revenue drops, these programs can trigger payments to farmers.
Here is why the fourth-year losses matter for the safety-net debate:
- Row-crop growers are the primary audience for commodity title updates, including reference prices under Price Loss Coverage and revenue guarantees under Agriculture Risk Coverage.
- Ag lenders watch consecutive loss years closely because they raise the risk of loan defaults, tighter credit, and farm consolidation.
- Crop-insurance stakeholders face rising demand for coverage as margins thin, making the crop-insurance title a central point of negotiation.
Higher diesel and fertilizer costs do not directly change commodity payment formulas, but they widen the gap between what it costs to grow a crop and what farmers earn. That gap is the core argument for higher reference prices and stronger revenue protections in H.R. 7567. See our full bill summary for how the current draft addresses the commodity title.
What's next
As of September 27, the current farm bill extension is set to expire September 30. Congress is expected to face a choice between passing a new bill, enacting another extension, or allowing programs to lapse into permanent law, an outcome lawmakers have historically avoided.
Negotiations remain deadlocked in part over SNAP cost-sharing, according to NPR. That standoff is likely to continue shaping the timeline for both the House bill and the Senate's competing draft. You can follow the current state of play on our Senate status page and our timeline and status tracker.
Whether stronger commodity provisions survive final negotiations will likely depend on how the House and Senate reconcile spending priorities. Farmers and staffers tracking the debate can reach lawmakers through our contact Congress page.
Frequently asked questions
Why are row-crop farmers losing money in 2026?
Most row-crop farmers are expected to lose money in 2026 for the fourth straight year because input costs remain high while crop prices stay low. A Farm Bureau economist told NPR that farmers are "paying way more to grow a crop and not making near enough for it." Record diesel prices near $6.50 per gallon and elevated fertilizer costs are the main drivers compressing farm margins during harvest season.
How high are diesel prices for farmers right now?
Retail diesel has reached approximately $6.50 per gallon, a record high, according to NPR and KCUR. The spike is hitting during harvest season, the period when farmers use the most fuel. KCUR reports that global conflicts involving Iran and Russia are driving the increase. Some farmers who stocked up during a brief summer price dip are still facing record costs at harvest.
What is the commodity title in the Farm Bill?
The commodity title is the section of the Farm Bill that funds price and income safety nets for row crops such as corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, and rice. It includes programs like Price Loss Coverage, which pays when prices fall below set reference prices, and Agriculture Risk Coverage, which protects against revenue drops. Four straight loss years are strengthening the case for updating these provisions.
When does the current farm bill extension expire?
The current farm bill extension is set to expire September 30, 2026. Congress faces a choice between passing a new bill, enacting another extension, or allowing programs to lapse. As of September 27, negotiations remain deadlocked in part over SNAP cost-sharing, according to NPR. The looming expiration is adding urgency to calls for stronger commodity safety nets.
Will a new Farm Bill lower diesel or fertilizer costs?
No, a new Farm Bill would not directly lower diesel or fertilizer costs, which are set by global energy and commodity markets. However, higher input costs widen the gap between what farmers spend to grow a crop and what they earn. That gap is the central argument for stronger commodity safety nets, higher reference prices, and revenue protections in the new bill.