By Ben Simons
As we move into 2026, farmers across the Mohawk Valley are taking stock of the year behind us and preparing for the one ahead. No two seasons are ever the same, and the past year offered plenty of reminders of how quickly conditions can change. Weather, global markets, soil health, and labor all shaped the story of this year’s harvest, and each will influence the choices we make as a new season begins.
Last year’s hay season was a perfect example of that unpredictability. The year before (2024) had produced one of the heaviest hay crops in recent memory. Many of us wondered if we would be able to sell it all. Then this past year turned dry. The first cutting came in beautifully, but the second and third were extremely light. Thankfully, the surplus from the previous year moved well, and demand in markets like New England stayed strong enough to keep prices steady. It was a reminder that agriculture has a way of balancing itself out, even when the weather does not cooperate.
The larger conversation this past year centered squarely on soybeans. You could hardly open a newspaper, social media pages, and news outlets without seeing something about soybean prices and the stifling international purchasing. Soybeans remain one of the most globally influenced crops we grow, and what happens overseas has a direct impact on farms here at home. Earlier in the year, the price of soybeans and corn fell to levels farmers have not seen in such a long time. That drop came from slower export activity and an oversupply that pushed the market down.
The United States produces a large quantity of soybeans that we need to export approximately a third of our national crop to maintain a healthy market. When those exports soften, prices follow. We felt that firsthand. Then, late in the year, several large international orders were placed and the soybean market responded almost immediately. Prices climbed sharply. They are still not at the highs of a few years ago, but the shift gave many farmers renewed confidence heading into 2026. It also highlighted how quickly this market can move, which is why long term planning can feel like a moving target.
For that reason, crop rotation remains one of the most important tools on any farm. On our farm we rotate from hay to corn to soybeans and then back to hay. This protects the soils health, helps manage weeds and disease, and creates long term stability, even when prices rise and fall. Some years soybeans are the strongest crop. Other years corn takes the lead. Rotation keeps the land productive and helps farmers avoid chasing short lived price trends. As we look ahead to 2026, rotation is one of the few things farmers can depend on regardless of what the markets do.
Labor will also remain a significant topic in the new year. Modern agriculture requires skilled, committed workers, especially on year round operations like dairy and livestock farms. Programs such as H2A were originally designed for short term harvest help, but many farms today need long term, stable labor to operate safely and efficiently. When a worker learns the animals, the barns, and the rhythms of a farm, it becomes difficult to replace that person every few months. Conversations around updating the current system will continue to be a priority for farmers nationwide in 2026.
Consumers heading into the new year can expect overall stability in food costs rather than major swings. National farm groups reported generally strong yields across the United States, with transportation costs easing and commodity prices leveling off. Certain proteins, like beef, may still run higher due to ongoing supply pressures, but staple items such as vegetables, grains, and pantry essentials remain steady. The most important takeaway is that American agriculture continues to produce enough food to feed our own communities and support global demand.
As we enter 2026, farmers will start another year the way they always have. We prepare the soil, make our plans, watch the markets, and stay ready for whatever the weather brings. Farming will always carry risks, but it also carries purpose. Less than two percent of Americans grow the food that sustains the entire country. It is an honor to be one of them, and I look forward to another year of sharing the work of agriculture with the Mohawk Valley.
