Webinar: Farm Financial Resilience & Credit Outlook: What Ag Lenders Need to Know in 2026
Join us for a forward‑looking discussion on the financial position of Illinois grain farms as the agricultural economy enters 2026. Drawing on comprehensive data from the Illinois Farm Business Farm Management (FBFM) system, this webinar will examine how farm balance sheets and cash flow dynamics are evolving. These changes are occurring amid shifting economic and policy conditions.
Dr. Gerald Mashange, Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign, will highlight recent developments in liquidity, solvency, and debt service capacity. He will focus on what these trends signal for agricultural credit performance. The session will also explore how factors such as interest rate movements, input cost adjustments, commodity price volatility, and government program changes are influencing farm financial resilience.
Attendees will leave with practical perspective on where risks and opportunities may be emerging. In addition, you will learn how lenders can adapt credit strategies in a changing ag landscape.
Who Should Attend
Community bank leaders, directors, credit and risk professionals, and agricultural lending teams looking to strengthen credit decision‑making. This session will also help with portfolio monitoring in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Assess recent shifts in financial strength across grain farming operations
- Recognize early indicators of credit pressure or stabilization
- Understand how economic, market, and policy trends intersect with farm finances
- Translate farm‑level insights into more informed ag credit strategies
Date: March 13, 2026
Time: 10:00 am CT
Duration: 60 minutes