Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) partner Rabo AgriFinance has agriculture experts located across the nation to connect farmers to the resources and knowledge of one of the world’s largest and most innovative banks: Rabobank. In this Q&A, Rabo AgriFinance Managing Director Chris Olson shares how the organization’s focus on ambition, innovation and tailored financial solutions helps Illinois producers manage risk, plan for growth and position their operations for the future.

Question: Rabo AgriFinance emphasizes supporting ambitious, innovative producers. How does that mission guide the way you work with farmers here in Illinois?

Answer: “From that standpoint, we’re looking for innovative operations. Ambition can be defined by your farming style and your innovativeness: how you’re doing things and how you’re raising your production methods. Specifically in the Midwest, with heavy corn and soybean production, the emphasis is on making sure we have the right products and services to help clients through challenging times. The most consistent thing in agriculture right now is volatility, and as a lender, we can help manage that. Ambition sometimes means growth, and with growth comes managing market volatility. We try to put banking solutions in place that fit the operation, the balance sheet and the cash-flow forecast, rather than doing things just one traditional way.”

Q: How is Rabo AgriFinance helping producers navigate tighter margins, volatile markets and rising operational costs?

A: “Starting last year, we worked with our Rabo Research team and looked specifically at corn and soybean production across the Midwest. One thing we did was put new products in place. We went to a higher advance rate, up to 75% of appraised value on land financing, and stretched amortizations out to 35 years. There’s going to be more cash-flow stress in the farm economy, and we felt it was a safe investment for us to lean into land financing and help producers through a challenging time. These products help manage volatility and provide more robust cash-flow options than traditional financing.”

Q: What kinds of investments or strategies are you seeing from forward-thinking producers who are planning for future generations?

A: “Margin management and using marketing tools. Whether you’re dealing with $3.50 corn or $7.50 corn, it all comes back to margin management. There’s a set of input costs every year for every unit of production, and it’s about how you market that crop to lock in a profit. The more innovative and ambitious growers tend to have strong, consistent marketing plans that help manage risk.”

Q: What advice would you give young farmers looking to build a strong financial foundation?

A: “It goes back to your marketing plan and budget management. Opportunity cost is always there, and you’ll second-guess decisions, but the key is consistency and understanding this is a long play. You’re doing this for 50 years, not five months. The goal is making money or, sometimes, minimizing losses. Having a clear sense of direction, a business plan and the ability to look not just one year ahead but three years ahead is critical. That preparation helps when opportunities come up for land or equipment purchases and requires discipline in managing margins, marketing and the business.”

Q: What trends or emerging risks should farmers be watching closely as they plan for 2026 and beyond?

A: “High variability in commodity prices has become the new normal. Markets used to move two or three cents a day, now they move 20 or 30 cents. Being prepared to make profitable sales when the timing is right is key. Another area to watch is farm efficiency and sustainability programs that may offer premiums. Producers need to be educated on what’s available and ready to act, whether that’s adding 25 or 50 cents a bushel or other value opportunities.”

To learn more, visit www.rabobankna.com.