Credit: Women in Agribusiness

Industry leaders at the 2026 Women in Agribusiness Summit in New Orleans discussed a topic many operations are facing right now: how to stay steady in a volatile ag economy, according to Successful Farming. The experts broke down where risks are building across the ag value chain, from the farm gate to the agribusinesses that serve farmers and ranchers. They also shared practical ways producers and agribusinesses can build resilience and be ready to capture opportunities as conditions shift.

For farmers and ranchers heading into harvest and planning for the 2027 crop year, the panelists outlined three areas to consider:

  • Know where risk is building. Pressure at one point in the value chain, from input suppliers to end buyers, can work its way back to the farm through prices, costs, and demand.
  • Strengthen your operation’s footing. A strong understanding of your finances, grain and livestock marketing plans, and crop insurance coverage can help your operation handle sudden swings in prices or input costs.
  • Find trusted information sources. In today’s age of endless information sources, ensure your source(s) are trustworthy. Never monitor just one indicator. Look at multiple sources to monitor trends and confirm information.

Your trusted crop insurance agent is a great resource to help match coverage to your marketing goals, and you can find a local ProAg agent here.

Read the full WIA panel recap in Successful Farming.