Despite Challenges, Perry Highlights Positives For NW Producers

Between low commodity prices, high input costs and trade uncertainty, 2025 was a challenging year for a host of producers across the Northwest and the nation. And while there were sizable headwinds Bill Perry, President and CEO of AgWest Farm Credit, said there were positives.

“I think the weakening dollar that we saw throughout 2025 was a positive, at least helping with stabilizing and improving some of the export markets," Perry said. "And also lower interest rates was another thing I would note on the good side for 2025. We saw a 75 basis point drop last year. You know, we're a little bit of a pause right now as that goes, but we might see some more of that in 2026.”

Will Beef Continue To Enjoy These Gains?

Another positive, the beef and cattle market. Perry said while the livestock sector may not see the prices reported last year, he anticipates 2026 will be very strong.

Photo: Glenn Vaagen

“I do anticipate that to continue to be a positive bright spot, partially because I grew up on a cattle ranch in Montana," Perry said. "So, I have sort of a continual optimism about that part of the industry. We may have seen the peak in 2025 for feeder cattle prices. But they're still very strong and they should remain strong in 2026 because that's a tight supply driven market right now. And that lower cattle supply and tighter beef supplies is not something that's going to change quickly, just with the biology involved in that industry.”

Perry added while the farm economy is challenging now, he’s bullish about the future of agriculture.