Every holiday season, my father used to stop by our small hometown tavern for his yearly bottle of brandy—not because he enjoyed drinking, but because he believed that every guest who visited our farm deserved a little Christmas cheer.
One local farmer once teased him with, “Ya gettin’ a bottle, Rich-ud?”
My father, always modest, replied, “Oh, just a little one.”
The farmer, already well past his limit, responded, “Ohhhh… ya bettuh get a BIG one!”
If there was ever a year that could make even a near-non-drinker reconsider, 2025 was certainly it.
A Year Turned Upside Down
Why 2025 Felt Extraordinary
The agricultural world faced a whirlwind of uncertainty: tariff conflicts, falling commodity prices, and crop diseases all created an unpredictable environment for farmers. Yet, there were also bright spots—moments of progress and optimism that helped balance the gloom.
Here’s a complete breakdown of the major highlights and lowlights that shaped U.S. agriculture in 2025.
1. Trade Turbulence: Tariffs, Tensions, and Soybean Surprises
The biggest storyline of 2025 was the on-again, off-again tariff battle between the United States and China. These tensions cast a shadow on U.S. soybean exports, worrying producers nationwide.
However, hope appeared late in the year.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced in October that China agreed to:
- Purchase 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans in 2025
- Commit to at least 25 million metric tons annually for the following three years
While soybean growers welcomed the news, beef producers had a different experience. The Trump administration’s proposal to allow Argentine beef imports sparked outrage among cattle farmers, triggering a sharp drop in cattle futures.
2. Southern Rust Hits Corn: Weather and Disease Disruptions
Warm temperatures and heavy rains swept northward, leading to southern rust outbreaks in Iowa cornfields. When uncontrolled, southern rust can reduce corn yields by 10% to 30%.
The good news?
Farmers will start 2026 with clean fields, as southern rust cannot survive Iowa winters.
3. A Breakthrough in Herbicides: Something Truly New
Farmers are accustomed to hearing about “new” herbicides that are simply mixtures of existing ingredients. The last truly new mode of action was introduced more than 25 years ago with Group 27 HPPD herbicides.
However, Icafolin is different.
This postemergence herbicide developed by Bayer features an entirely new site of action and is expected to reach U.S. markets within four to five years.
According to Bayer’s Brian Naber, Icafolin causes treated weeds to appear “frozen,” halting their ability to compete for sunlight, nutrients, and water.
4. Dicamba: Old Debates, New Possibilities
Although dicamba formulations were not labeled for dicamba-tolerant soybeans in 2025, the EPA reopened discussion in hopes of approving them again for 2026.
Dicamba’s major criticism has long been its tendency to move off target—a problem magnified in 2025, which became Iowa’s second-windiest year on record. Even dicamba applications in corn drifted farther than expected.
5. Volunteer Corn: A Growing Postharvest Problem
Another issue emerged after harvest—volunteer corn.
Due to the year’s weather challenges, spilled kernels sprouted in fields across Iowa. These volunteer plants may:
- Attract insects
- Harbor disease pathogens
- Create complications in corn-after-corn systems
Management strategies exist, but the problem demands close attention in 2026.
Keywords: volunteer corn management, postharvest crop issues, corn disease risks.
6. Carbon Farming Gains Momentum: New Revenue Paths
Farmers in 2025 explored fresh income opportunities beyond standard crop production.
Section 45Z of the Inflation Reduction Act offers tax credits to biofuel producers who use low-carbon feedstocks.
These credits can generate over $100 per acre in shared value among:
- Farmers
- Grain merchandisers
- Third-party verifiers
- Supply-chain partners
This marks a major step forward in carbon farming and sustainable agriculture.