North Dakota Farmers Not Set up For Success in 2026

(Photo by Lora Wobbema/For the North Dakota Monitor)

(North Dakota Monitor) – North Dakota’s farmers are looking for higher profits but things may get worse before they get better, ag industry experts say.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture in December announced its Farmer Bridge Assistance, a payment program to help farmers survive what was a disastrous 2025 for many producers.

North Dakota has set up its own loan programs to help farmers through economic hardship and to recover from storms that wiped out storage bins, making producers more dependent on short-term markets.

Bank of North Dakota President Don Morgan said there is “prolonged stress” on the ag industry, and 2026 will likely not provide much relief when it comes to profits.