North Dakota State University Extension has released projected crop budgets for 2026. These budget projections serve as guides for farmers in the state and are organized by multicounty region.

Returns and costs can vary considerably between producers within a region, and projected profits vary by region and crop. The budgets estimate returns to labor and management, with no consideration of price and yield variability or risk.

“There is no perfect comparison of crops because there are different levels of labor, management and risk to consider,” says Ron Haugen, NDSU Extension farm management specialist.

A warm, wet fall in 2025 contributed to higher-than-average soil fertility levels, explains Haugen.

"As a result, fertilizer application rates should be lower in most regions,” says Haugen. “However, fertilizer prices are up, so the overall fertilizer cost per acre will be higher than 2025.

“This year, in most regions, and for most crops, the projected profitability is low or negative,” continues Haugen. “Inputs and ownership costs are flat to somewhat higher, but lower commodity prices are the main contributor to the lower profitability. It’s a revenue problem.”

Chemical expenses are generally flat, fuel costs are down, interest costs are down, and ownership and repair costs are up. Some specialty crops may show a positive return but usually have limited contracts and acreages, and they may also carry a higher risk.

Individual farmers are encouraged to develop their own budgets with their specific estimates.

The NDSU Extension budgets are available online at ndsu.ag/cropbudgets26. A PDF version is also available, along with spreadsheets for producers to input their own estimates.

Printed copies are available at NDSU Extension county offices.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – Feb. 6, 2026

Source: Ron Haugen, 701-231-8103, ronald.haugen@ndsu.edu

Editor: Dominic Erickson, 701-231-5546, dominic.erickson@ndsu.edu