A growing majority of U.S. corn farmers now believe an economic crisis is imminent, according to new polling commissioned by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). The findings, released Wednesday, paint a stark picture of rural sentiment as commodity prices stagnate and input costs remain stubbornly high.

Conducted by Farm Journal, the poll surveyed over 1,000 corn-focused farmers between late August and early September. Nearly half of respondents said the U.S. is already on the brink of a farm crisis, while another 33% believe the farm economy is heading in that direction. Only 15% expressed confidence that a crisis is not approaching.

Echoing those results, a resounding 76% of respondents reported being "very" or "moderately" concerned about the farm economy. For 65% of those polled, their level of concern has increased over the past year, a trend NCGA officials say points to deeper structural problems facing the agricultural sector.

"It's a four-alarm fire in the countryside," said NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr. "Farmers are in a lot of economic pain right now."

That pain is not limited to producers. Equipment manufacturers and ag input suppliers could also feel the squeeze. Nearly 60% of farmers said they would likely delay equipment purchases in the coming year, while 38% plan to reduce fertilizer use to offset rising costs. Others are exploring new strategies to survive the downturn, including changing crop rotations, extending debt terms, or farming fewer acres.

Only 20% said they will maintain their operations as-is in 2026, and a sobering 12% said they are considering retirement or leaving farming altogether.

"These findings point to a once-in-a-generation problem for the agricultural economy," warned NCGA Chief Economist Krista Swanson, noting that the ripple effects could extend far beyond the field. "This level of uncertainty and pressure could trigger economic losses throughout the supply chain, from co-ops to manufacturers and lenders."

Adding to the unease, Rabobank released a report on the same day projecting a more expensive 2026 season. Senior analyst Bruno Fonseca cited anticipated fertilizer price hikes, lower supply, and thin margins. Oversupply of major commodities like corn, wheat, and soy is also putting downward pressure on prices, particularly as record harvests in the U.S. and Brazil flood the market.

"Profitability in the grain and oilseed sector will remain challenging," Fonseca stated. "With high input costs and global oversupply, the math doesn't work for many producers."

In response, the corn industry is urging Congress to act, beginning with legislation to authorize year-round sales of E15 ethanol blends. Advocates argue this would provide a critical new demand outlet for corn growers and stabilize prices. Proponents have eyed the defense authorization bill or upcoming government spending packages as possible vehicles for the ethanol provision.

A bipartisan proposal to legalize year-round E15 nearly passed last December but was ultimately dropped at the last minute. Now, corn growers and ethanol producers are pushing hard to revive it.

However, the proposal faces opposition from environmental voices like Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, who claims that some biofuels may carry a higher climate impact than petroleum-based fuels. The ethanol sector strongly disputes this, arguing that renewable fuels are essential to both rural economies and carbon reduction goals.

As the 2025 harvest proceeds under pressure, the message from producers is clear: Without swift policy support and market relief, the U.S. farm economy could spiral into a deeper downturn.