With an eye towards the rapidly approaching 2026 midterm elections, this article further reviews survey results from the Gardner Food and Agricultural Policy Survey, but through the lens of political affiliation. Specifically, we examine how perceptions of the benefits and challenges associated with AI and data center development vary among self-identified Democrats, Republicans, and Independents/Others. Doing so provides insight into the extent to which attitudes toward these emerging technologies and their supporting infrastructure differ across political groups.

Diesel fuel prices for agricultural use in Illinois have reached a record high. Those higher prices are estimated to raise fuel and oil costs on Central Illinois grain farms with…

This article examines dispersion in producer sentiment, as measured by the Ag Economy Barometer (AEB) index, among survey respondents over time, and illustrated differences in sentiment and survey answers among corn and soybean producers using results from the September 2026 AEB survey. Dispersion of survey responses varies substantially over time but is in general negatively correlated with the AEB index. 

Farm incomes in 2025 were higher than in 2024, resulting in slightly stronger average financial positions for Illinois farms. However, after three years of lower incomes on grain farms before 2025, working cash has decreased almost 40% from 2022 on the average farm to 2020 levels. With projected continued lower incomes for the rest of 2026 and 2027, farmers will need to find ways to reduce costs while making efficient use of assets. 

Honey bees play a critical role in agricultural production, however commercial beekeepers face substantial costs and uncertainty. A representative operation cannot cover total costs and requires government payments to cover cash costs. This highlights the economic impact colony losses and health maintenance have on beekeeping operations. Continuing issues with colony health suggest uncertainty in the economic sustainability of the industry in the long-term.

Most long-term leases held by foreign persons are for wind and solar projects, covering 6.3 million acres, or about 0.7 percent of U.S. land in farms. In most counties the share is under 1 percent, and nearly all of these acres are associated with investors from Canada and Western Europe. Because the landowner retains title and AFIDA reports acreage as a whole parcel, lease acres are best viewed separately from ownership when assessing foreign holdings of U.S. agricultural land.