Last year's weather is becoming this year's problem for farmers as they make their planting and fertilization plan for 2025. According to the CME Group, corn and soybean prices in 2024 were about 10 percent under the estimated price set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Couple that with lower yields due to heavy rains delaying planting in the spring and extremely dry weather as the crops were finishing their growing season, many farmers are trying to figure out the best plans for their operations to accomplish what they need to do while making a profit. Rio Creek Feed Mill agronomist Mason Neuzil says it is a delicate balance for farmers still battling high seed and fertilizer costs.

Despite agriculture economists at the University of Illinois and Ohio State University predicting that farmers will be dealing with low prices for a few years, Neuzil says local farmers are resilient, and they are optimistic for the upcoming year.