Volatility & Opportunity

Many of the challenges growers faced this year will carry into 2026.  Their resiliency is being tested and wise agronomic decisions are even more vital.Hundreds gathered at the Agricultural Retailers Association Conference and Trade Show in Salt Lake City for updates. “Some of the challenges we have faced, while many of them are similar to the past, there are a few that are unique and new,”  remarked Mike Twining of Willard Agri-Service, which partners with Redox. “A lot of those challenges deal with uncertainty, with changes ranging from local to global that are new and different.”Twining said newer technology including biostimulants can help growers, and it’s important for agronomists to provide sound solutions. Grower Grant Norwood of Tennessee is among those increasing his use of biostimulants. He participated in a panel discussion carried out by Farm Journal and EVOIA. Vice President of Fertilizer at StoneX Josh Linville updated growers on the fertilizer outlook, which overall includes higher prices and more volatility. He was optimistic for improvement in the future. “High prices always cure high prices,” he said. “When you get there, supplies start to increase. New potash production is coming down the line. Hopefully new nitrogen production announcements are coming.”ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock said the ag economy downturn has been a little longer than usual, but the cyclical nature of the industry indicates improvement is down the road.