Row Crop Recap
In 2025, Florida peanut planted acreage was 7% above the 5-year average, whereas corn and cotton acreage were down 3% and 29%, respectively (USDA-NASS). Shifts in acreage were influenced by the financial outlook for each crop. Sample budgets for 2025 estimated contribution margins per acre (not including land or fixed costs) of about $300 for irrigated peanut, $50 for irrigated corn, negative $100 for irrigated cotton, and negative $50 for non-irrigated cotton. Estimated gross profit (including land and fixed costs) was negative for all three crops.
Prices received for old crop peanuts by Florida producers in 2025 were mostly in the $500 to $525 per ton range (USDA-NASS). Anecdotally, peanut contracts were not widely available before planting in 2025, although some contracts offered $500 or higher on a portion of production. Uncontracted peanuts reportedly were selling below $400 per ton at harvest. Record U.S. peanut production projected for 2025 has pulled prices down and is dampening the price outlook for 2026. Prices much below $500/ton are less than the estimated cost of production per ton.
Grain corn prices started the year relatively low and declined during the growing season. The September futures price averaged $4.56/bu in January and only $3.84/bu in August. The local basis offered by Suwannee Valley grain buyers held relatively strong, averaging about $0.80/bu. Local bids at harvest time (mid-July through August) were mostly in the $4.60 to $4.90/bu range, below estimated cost of production per bushel.
Cotton prices have been low and declining. The December futures price averaged $0.69/lb in January and $0.63 in November. 2025 prices have been well below the estimated cost of production per pound of lint. Prices have continued to decline despite substantial reductions in planted acreage in Florida and nationwide. Falling prices despite decreasing supplies are an indication of weak demand.
Production costs, especially machinery, labor, and interest, have risen over the last few years, as described in a May 2025 blog. The cost of several fertilizers increased during the first half of 2025. The combination of high production costs and low commodity prices has put serious strain on the financial situation for row crop producers.
Financial Assistance Programs for Row Crops
Row crop producers can partially offset financial losses by taking advantage of financial assistance programs. Farm Bill programs, as well as one-time assistance programs, are available this year.
Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs provide payments to enrolled producers with base acres when farm revenue or commodity prices fall below set levels. For 2025, enrolled producers will receive the higher of the PLC or ARC payment, in October 2026. Farms without base acres or with fewer base acres than they planted in covered commodities in 2019-2023 are eligible to receive a new base acre allocation in 2026. To enroll, producers can contact their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office or apply online.
Crop insurance guarantees a minimum level of revenue for insured crops. Revenue Protection plans protect against loss of revenue due to either lower yields or a drop in market price. The USDA Risk Management Agency has an online search tool to find approved insurance providers.
Marketing Assistance Loans are available to row crop producers. These loans administered by FSA provide financing at harvest time, giving producers flexibility to delay selling their crops in the hope that prices will improve.
One-time financial assistance programs available to row crop producers in 2025 or 2026 include the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP), the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP), the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program, and the Disaster Block Grant Program. The application deadline for ECAP was August 15, 2025.
SDRP provides disaster relief payments to crop producers who experienced a loss of yield, quality, or revenue because of a qualifying disaster event in 2023 or 2024. Stage 1 is for producers with indemnified losses, and Stage 2 is for producers with non-indemnified or uninsured losses. Enrollment for both stages through FSA is open until April 30, 2026.
The FBA Program, announced on December 8th, will provide one-time payments to row crop producers. Commodity-specific payment rates per acre will cover a portion of estimated losses for each eligible crop. Rates will be announced by the end of December. Producers must submit their 2025 acreage report to FSA and ensure it is factual and accurate by December 19, 2025.
The USDA allocated more than $600 million in Disaster Block Grant funds to assist Florida producers impacted by hurricanes in 2023 and 2024. Assistance to eligible producers may compensate for infrastructure damage, market losses, as well as citrus- and timber-specific losses. Eligibility requirements and the application process have not yet been announced. Application details will be provided on the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) website.
Acknowledgments
Data on Florida row crop input costs and local price bids, provided by ag input suppliers and commodity buyers, were compiled by Amanda Phillips, Data Management Analyst, University of Florida, IFAS Extension.
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