Growing Forward: The Genesis Ag Monthly November 2025 Edition

Featured Podcasts

From the Ground Up | Genesis Ag Podcast #1 Join host Mike Rother with Phillip and Josh Davis as they discuss the company's roots, mission, and how they're helping farmers tackle real problems with practical solutions that pencil out in the field. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB1Zw4is0XI

How Farmers Can Prepare for 2026 Mark Rothermich and Josh Davis break down the realities of modern farming as fertilizer prices rise. Learn strategic planning and smarter input decisions to stay profitable in challenging times. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5tx52PRiN8

Market Pulse: What the Numbers Tell Us

The November USDA report delivered mixed signals to commodity markets this month. Corn yields are projected at 186 bushels per acre, representing a modest decrease of 0.7 bushels from previous estimates. Despite the slight reduction, this still reflects strong productivity across most Corn Belt states.

Soybean yields hold steady at 53 bushels per acre, maintaining near-record territory for national averages. Current market prices show December corn trading at $4.34¾ per bushel and January soybeans at $11.57¼ per bushel.

While production numbers are slightly down from earlier projections, the overall harvest remains robust. However, the combination of strong yields and adequate carryover stocks continues to pressure prices, creating challenges for farm profitability in 2025.

The Input Reality: Navigating Rising Costs

Fertilizer markets have created significant headwinds for farmers planning 2026 cropping decisions. Diammonium phosphate (DAP) prices surged 36% in 2025, climbing from $583 per ton in January to nearly $800 per ton by August.

The broader fertilizer landscape shows similar stress patterns: MAP averaging $922 per ton, potash at $486 per ton, and anhydrous ammonia at $780 per ton. These increases far outpace commodity price improvements, squeezing already thin margins.

With input availability also becoming a concern in some regions, farmers are increasingly exploring biological alternatives and precision application strategies to maintain profitability while reducing dependency on traditional synthetic fertilizers.

By the Numbers

2025 Corn Yield: 186 bu/acre 2025 Soybean Yield: 53 bu/acre Fertilizer Cost Increase (2025): 36% increase

These statistics highlight the current agricultural landscape: strong production capabilities matched against rising input costs, creating an urgent need for efficiency improvements and alternative strategies.

Phillip's Corner: Change How You Grow

"We're achieving 200+ bushel corn with less than 100 pounds of applied nitrogen by using nitrogen-fixing bacteria and proper timing. The key is letting the plant ask for what it needs instead of front-loading with high-salt fertilizers."

After 47 years in farming, I've learned that the biology in our soil is our greatest untapped resource. Consider this: phosphorus can be recycled up to 70 times when we have the right biological activity, compared to the typical single use we see today.

Our Carbose program provides diverse energy sources—four different sugar types—specifically engineered to feed beneficial bacteria and fungi. It's like giving your soil biology a balanced diet instead of just table sugar.

The conventional approach of applying 200+ units of nitrogen upfront actually suppresses the very biological activity we need. When we time our nutrients properly and feed the soil biology, we're building a system that works for decades, not just one season.

Remember: sustainability comes from making enough profit to stay in business while building soil health for the next generation.

Current Agricultural Updates

USDA has announced new disaster relief programs specifically targeting farmers affected by natural disasters including hurricanes, severe storms, tornadoes, and drought conditions experienced across multiple states in 2024 and 2025. These programs address both covered and previously uncovered losses, including "shallow losses" that didn't meet traditional thresholds, providing critical support for producers nationwide.

Farm income projections show decline across the Midwest and Southern regions amid strong harvests, with 83% of agricultural economists expecting decreased farm incomes in Q4 2025 compared to the previous year. This economic pressure is driving increased interest in input cost reduction strategies and biological farming programs.

The USDA and Department of Justice have launched investigations into rising farm input costs, examining market concentration in the fertilizer industry. This comes as farmers from Pennsylvania to Iowa face unprecedented challenges balancing high input prices against commodity market pressures, making efficiency and alternative solutions more critical than ever.

Soil Health Spotlight

The biological farming revolution continues gaining momentum in 2025. Industry research indicates that 65% of bio products now target soil health and climate resilience, reflecting farmers' growing recognition that soil biology drives long-term productivity.

The soil health management market is experiencing robust growth at a 7.3% annual rate, with the U.S. leading adoption of regenerative practices. Technologies like AI-driven soil monitoring and precision microbial applications are making biological programs more accessible and effective.

Cover cropping, reduced tillage, and biological inoculants are moving from experimental practices to mainstream adoption. Farmers report improved nutrient cycling, enhanced water infiltration, and reduced input dependency when implementing comprehensive soil health programs.

Contact Information: Building Soil Health. Growing Success. Genesis Ag | Humboldt, Tennessee Visit us at: genesis.ag | info@genesis.ag