NDSU Extension crop budgets forecast low to negativity profitability

Projected 2026 crop budgets released by North Dakota State University Extension forecast low to negative profitability for most crops and regions.

The projections, which serve as guides for farmers in the state and are organized by multicounty region, estimate returns to labor and management, with no consideration of price and yield variability or risk.

Returns and costs can vary between producers within a region and projected profits vary by region and crop.

“There is no perfect comparison of crops because there are different levels of labor, management and risk to consider,” Ron Haugen, NDSU Extension farm management specialist, said in a statement.

Haugen said a warm, wet fall in 2025 contributed to higher-than-average soil fertility levels.

“As a result, fertilizer application rates should be lower in most regions,” he said. “However, fertilizer prices are up, so the overall fertilizer cost per acre will be higher than 2025.

“ … Inputs and ownership costs are flat to somewhat higher, but lower commodity prices are the main contributor to the lower profitability. It’s a revenue problem.”

Chemical expenses are generally flat, fuel costs are down, interest costs are down and ownership and repair costs are up, according to the projections. Some specialty crops may show a positive return but usually have limited contracts and acreages and may also carry a higher risk.

Individual farmers are encouraged to develop their own budgets with their specific estimates.

The NDSU Extension budgets are available online at ndsu.ag/cropbudgets26. A PDF version is also available, along with spreadsheets for producers to input their own estimates.

Printed copies are available at NDSU Extension county offices.