As Ohio’s agricultural community goes into 2025, many farmers, growers, producers and agribusinesses face continued economic pressures — including declining commodity prices, rising production costs, and ongoing uncertainty in trade and labor markets, according to agricultural economists from the Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

Adapting to these challenges will require strategic planning and proactive steps, says Ian Sheldon, CFAES professor and holder of The Andersons Endowed Chair in Agricultural Marketing, Trade, and Policy in the CFAES Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics.

“Farmers will face a tough year as commodity prices remain low and production costs continue to rise,” he says. “However, focusing on farm management strategies — such as reducing input costs, delaying capital purchases and carefully planning land purchases — will help Ohio’s agricultural community weather these economic challenges.”

Ohio’s agricultural industry is facing price pressures similar to other Midwestern states, further compounded by lower yields for both corn and soybeans in 2024, Sheldon says.

Outlook and policy meetings

To start off the new year, Ohio State University Extension will be offering Regional Agricultural Outlook and Policy meetings across the state.

Programs will include presentations covering topics such as inputs outlook, weather outlook, grain marketing, dairy and beef outlook, farm business analysis, and energy outlook. The agenda will differ for each meeting, so be sure to check with the county on what topics they will be covering.

The meetings include:

Jan. 21, Defiance County. Jewell Community Center, 7900 Independence Road, Defiance, Ohio, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Register by Jan. 10. Visit go.osu.edu or call the Defiance County office at 419-782-4771.

Feb. 11, Allen County. Youth Activities Building on the Allen County Fairgrounds, 2750 Harding Hwy, Lima, Ohio, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Register by calling the Allen County office at 419-879-9108.

Feb. 21, Union, Madison and Champaign counties. Champaign County Community Center Auditorium, 1512 S. U.S. Hwy 68, Urbana, Ohio, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. To register, visit go.osu.edu.

Feb. 28, Mercer County. Mercer County Agricultural Center, 4978 Mud Pike Road Celina, Ohio, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. To register, visit go.osu.edu.

Feb. 28, Pickaway County. Roadhouse 56, 1051 SR 56E, Circleville Ohio, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Register by calling the Pickaway County office at 740-474-7534.

Source: OSU, CFAES