Farm Bankruptcies on the Rise: What It Means for Agriculture in 2026
About this episode
This episode discusses the rising trend of farm bankruptcies and its implications for agriculture in 2026, featuring insights from economist Will Secor.
As financial pressure builds across agriculture, farm bankruptcies are once again trending upward—and the outlook for 2026 remains uncertain. In this episode, University of Georgia economist Will Secor breaks down what's driving the increase, from declining crop prices and high input costs to rising debt and interest rates. He explains why the Southeast may be especially vulnerable, how Chapter 12 bankruptcy works as a tool for farmers, and why these filings are often a lagging indicator of deeper financial stress. It's a candid, data-driven conversation that also highlights the human side of tough decisions facing farm families—and what could help turn the tide moving forward. Article referenced: https://www.fb.org/market-intel/farm-bankruptcies-continued-to-climb-in-2025
Topics covered
- farm bankruptcies
- agriculture
- economic trends
- financial stress
Keywords
- crop prices
- input costs
- debt
- interest rates
- Chapter 12 bankruptcy
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