Crop Loss Crisis Exposes Vulnerability of Women Farmers

By John Pranay (Editor)

A devastating crop loss crisis is unfolding in the United States, with analysts estimating that U.S. farmers will lose $15 billion selling this year's corn, contributing to combined crop losses of $54 billion over the past three years. The crisis is expected to have a disproportionate impact on women farmers, who often bear the brunt of economic hardship in rural communities. The situation is further complicated by rising fertilizer and equipment costs, as well as high interest rates that push borrowing costs upward.

The crop loss crisis is the culmination of a series of events that have been unfolding over the past year. In Wisconsin, the state's farm economy has been facing significant challenges, including tight margins, falling markets, and rising costs. Despite these challenges, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau has reported several policy wins, including the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, which increased Dairy Margin Coverage eligibility to 6 million pounds. The bill also included provisions to improve transparency in make allowance calculations and increased reference prices for soybeans and corn.

Meanwhile, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act has passed with bipartisan support, restoring the option for schools to serve whole milk. This change reflects years of advocacy by farmers who know the nutritional value of milk and the importance of giving students access to the products Wisconsin is proud to produce. Additionally, the Pet and Livestock Protection Act has been passed in the House, which is an important step toward restoring common-sense wildlife management and providing certainty for rural communities.

• 2023: Analysts estimate U.S. farmers will lose $15 billion selling this year's corn, contributing to combined crop losses of $54 billion over the past three years.

• 2025: Wisconsin Farm Bureau reports several policy wins, including the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill and the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act.

• 2025: The Pet and Livestock Protection Act is passed in the House.

• 2025: The budget supports rural infrastructure, processing capacity, conservation, and farmer wellness, including the Agricultural Road Improvement Program with $150 million for roads and bridges.

The crop loss crisis is not an isolated event, but rather a symptom of a broader trend that weighs heavily on farm profitability and long-term sustainability. Commodity prices have remained under pressure from heavy carryover stocks and weaker export demand, while fertilizer and equipment costs have stayed high. The situation is further complicated by rising interest rates that push borrowing costs upward.

The impact of the crop loss crisis is not limited to farmers, but also affects rural communities and families. Many farmers are self-employed, which often means paying for individual plans with high deductibles or going without coverage altogether. In some cases, families rely on off-farm employment just to access insurance, creating additional economic burdens.

In the coming months, the situation is expected to remain uncertain, with analysts predicting that crop losses will continue to mount. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau has called for continued advocacy and support for farmers, including increased funding for rural infrastructure and conservation programs. The passage of the Pet and Livestock Protection Act is also expected to have a positive impact on rural communities, providing certainty for wildlife management and reducing the burden on farmers.

Q: What is the estimated cost of crop losses for U.S. farmers this year?

A: Analysts estimate that U.S. farmers will lose $15 billion selling this year's corn.

Q: What is the impact of the crop loss crisis on rural communities?

A: The crop loss crisis is expected to have a disproportionate impact on rural communities, where many farmers are self-employed and rely on off-farm employment to access insurance.

Q: What policy wins have been reported by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau?

A: The Wisconsin Farm Bureau has reported several policy wins, including the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, and the Pet and Livestock Protection Act.

On balance, this event screens as Bullish in our sentiment view.

1. Farm economy is becoming a crisis that weighs on families and communities — https://www.wisfarmer.com/story/opinion/columnists/2025/12/27/farmers-faced-a-year-of-tight-margins-falling-markets-and-rising-costs-in-2025/87904439007/

Methodology: This analysis combines real-time data aggregation from manually selected global sources with advanced AI synthesis, engineered to provide neutral and data-driven insights.