346. Hoosier Ag Today’s Eric Pfeiffer on market turbulence, trade wars + the need for a Farm Bill to make plans for the future

The year 2025 is poised to be an interesting one for agbioscience. Venture capital inflows from 2023 to 2024 are roughly flat according to Crop Life, the production cost of corn and soybeans remains roughly in line or slightly below market price and the turbulence around global trade and what tariffs could mean leave an uncertain operating market for what could be ahead. Joining us today is Hoosier Ag Today president, Eric Pfeiffer, to make sense of what’s ahead. We get into:  The current perspective of the farmer, their natural optimism and knowing the challenges that lie ahead for 2025. Trends he’s noticing that are operational changes to drive net farm income – particularly biologicals – and why that’s challenging. Property tax reform as a major topic in the Indiana General Assembly and making this issue relatable to the general public – because it does impact them at the end of the day. The biofuels tax credit bill in the Indiana General Assembly and its potential economic impact and jobs to the state of Indiana (not to mention better burning, more sustainable fuel). On a federal level – trade wars – and tariffs potential impact, good or bad, on farmers. Farmers needing certainty on The Farm Bill to make plans for the future – it does not appear to be a priority at the moment.  Reason for optimism from farmers moving forward.