Combines are rolling across Kentucky as farmers bring in this year’s corn crop, part of what is expected to be a record 16.7 billion bushels nationwide. Harvest is always a season of pride, when farm families see the results of months of planning and resilience. Across the Commonwealth, golden fields mark the culmination of hard work that sustains rural communities and the state’s economy.
Kentucky plays an important role in this abundance. Each year, more than 1.5 million acres of corn are harvested here, generating significant economic value and supporting farm families and local businesses. This year’s harvest reflects the strength of Kentucky agriculture and the determination of growers to provide food, feed, and fuel.
But while yields are strong, KY Corn recognizes farm families face economic pressures that make profitability uncertain. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) data show that while corn prices have fallen by more than 50 percent since their 2022 peak, production costs have declined only about 3 percent. Expenses for seed, fertilizer, fuel, and land remain stubbornly high, leaving many growers squeezed between record yields and thin margins.
While farmers are in the fields bringing in this year’s crop, KY Corn is working on their behalf to strengthen markets and create long-term opportunities. One of the association’s top priorities is securing year-round access to E15, a fuel blend that includes 15 percent ethanol. Current federal restrictions block sales of E15 in summer months, but KY Corn and NCGA are pressing for permanent approval. Nationwide adoption of year-round E15 would create demand for an additional 2.3 billion bushels of corn annually, strengthening markets for Kentucky farmers while offering consumers lower fuel prices and cleaner air.
At the same time, KY Corn is engaged in conversations with policymakers about high production costs. Rising expenses for key inputs have placed long-term strain on growers, even in years of strong harvest. By elevating these challenges, the association ensures that decision-makers understand the economic realities of farming today and the importance of supporting family farms that anchor Kentucky’s rural communities.
As bins fill across the Commonwealth, this harvest stands as both a celebration of what farmers have achieved and a reminder of the advocacy needed to keep Kentucky agriculture strong.