Letters to the Editor

The views expressed are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of DTN, its management or employees.

**

To the Editor:

American farmers are struggling. In recent years, the number of farms in the U.S. has decreased by 6.9% as lower profits combined with mounting production and workforce expenses have forced farmers and ranchers to sell. We need solutions that provide lasting success against strong headwinds -- sustainable agriculture is an important tool at our disposal.

Farmers from across the country gathering here in Colorado for Commodity Classic reminds me of the ingenuity of our industry in facing these various hurdles. Today's farmers are forced to adapt to a changing environment and navigate an evolving regulatory landscape. One essential tool farmers have begun to leverage to create new market opportunities is the public and private sector support for sustainable agriculture initiatives.

Sustainable agriculture is the future of farming -- providing farmers with both an economic and environmental edge. By leveraging practices like low- or no-till farming systems, improved fertilizer management, and conservation crop rotation, farmers can improve crop and soil health while improving efficiencies and profitability. This means that even amidst volatile growing conditions, farms are prepared to withstand shock and remain economically viable.

Support for programs that facilitate the adoption of regenerative and sustainable agriculture has increased. For example, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is working with more than 60,000 farms that use these tactics to sustainably increase yields on existing acreage to develop new markets. See more here: https://www.usda.gov/….

Due to farmers' increasing productivity, the supply for many crops, like corn and wheat, continues to grow. Over the summer, corn and soybean prices were the lowest they had been in over four years. Without new markets for farmers to sell their crops to, crop prices will stagnate, making it harder for farmers to succeed.

Thankfully, new markets for sustainably produced crops are poised to grow. These new markets include new energy sources, such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which help meet our nation's growing energy demand and are fueled by agriculture.

New SAF facilities nationwide are expected to source agriculture feedstocks to produce fuel, while also producing livestock feed co-products like traditional biofuel facilities. SAF is a huge opportunity for farmers adopting sustainable agriculture practices, helping them earn an additional 15 to 20 cents per bushel of corn.

While some farmers have adopted cutting-edge practices, many are grappling with how to qualify to sell to new markets created by SAF and other new products. As we'll see in Denver this week, whether they are producing corn, wheat, soybeans or other crops, new platforms and programs exist to help empower farmers' transition to sustainable agriculture. They can also help farms determine how to optimize operations to become more profitable and participate in new market opportunities, from biofuels to bioproducts.

Maintaining sustainable agriculture initiatives provides the U.S. with an opportunity to lead on an emerging bioeconomy worldwide. Public and private sector support for the next generation of agriculture will bolster American competitiveness, energy security, and local job creation. It's time for policymakers to work hand in hand with farmers, biofuel producers and other bioeconomy innovators to unlock the full potential of America's rural economies.

Jonah Olson is an agronomic data specialist with Verity Tracking based in Englewood, Colorado.

**

Letters may be emailed to edit@dtn.com or mailed to Greg Horstmeier, DTN, 18205 Capitol Avenue, Omaha, NE 68022.

(c) Copyright 2025 DTN, LLC. All rights reserved.