By Andi Anderson
As Ohio’s agricultural industry prepares for 2025, farmers and agribusinesses face several challenges, including falling commodity prices, rising production costs, and uncertainty in trade and labor markets.
Experts from The Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) offer critical insights to navigate these economic pressures.
Ian Sheldon, a CFAES professor and expert in agricultural trade and policy, emphasized the need for proactive planning. “Focusing on strategies like reducing input costs, delaying capital investments, and planning land purchases will help mitigate the financial challenges ahead,” he said.
These issues were key topics at the 2024 Agricultural Outlook and Policy Conference, which explored Ohio’s economic outlook and solutions for sustaining farm incomes. Experts highlighted the strain on farm margins caused by declining federal safety net programs and the potential impact of future trade and immigration policies.
Ohio’s agricultural sector also faces lower crop yields for corn and soybeans, further pressuring farm margins. Sheldon recommended strategic measures such as estimating cash flows and optimizing cash rents to manage these challenges effectively.
Despite difficulties, Ohio farmers have opportunities to stay informed and adapt. The Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics (AEDE) team will host several policy meetings in 2025. These events will cover critical topics such as commodity prices, farm income projections, and trade policies.
Upcoming meetings include:
Jan. 7: Wayne County Ag Outlook, Wooster
Jan. 25: Ohio Farmers Union Convention, Lima
Jan. 28: Pickaway County Ag Outlook, Circleville
Feb. 28: Mercer County Ag Outlook, Celina
These sessions will feature experts like Margaret Jodlowski discussing agricultural labour, and Seungki Lee addressing grain markets. By attending these events, Ohio farmers can access timely insights to make strategic decisions for 2025. Sheldon concluded, “Staying ahead of market trends is essential in this volatile environment.”
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Categories: Ohio, Education, Rural Lifestyle