At this time last year, farmers felt sure that 2021 had to be better than than 2020, a year that the coronavirus pandemic rocked markets and the supply chain. But as we stand on the threshold of a new year, the second anniversary of the pandemic is fast approaching and we can’t help but wonder how it will impact our industry in 2022.

Thanks to a successful growing season and healthy commodity prices, farmers were able to emerge from a difficult year. Government aid payments also comprised a considerable portion of their net income.

While farmers are still dealing with the fallout from the pandemic, inflation now appears to be a major threat to profitability in the ag sector. That combined with continued supply chain issues, labor shortages, the rising cost of inputs, farmers are bracing themselves for a bumpy ride in the coming year.

Here are the news stories that shaped the local, state and national landscape in the agricultural industry in 2021.