DELMARVA — Farmers across the Delmarva Peninsula are navigating what many consider the season’s most critical stretch, with crops under close watch for early signs of shortfall and livestock producers managing heat stress, forage quality, and water supply. Those pressures are compounded by swinging commodity prices, uncertain trade policy, climbing interest rates, and persistently rising input costs.
Policy
The Trump administration announced new tariffs ranging from 10 to 12.5% on 60 countries, but fertilizer, pesticides, and seeds were all exempted. Farm groups reacted favorably, calling the carve-outs significant protection for producers who depend on those materials to grow their crops.
Maryland growers should also be aware that the Maryland Department of Agriculture has announced unscheduled mosquito control spraying in Anne Arundel County on the evenings of July 28 and 29, in response to elevated mosquito-borne illness risk.
Markets
Futures closed mixed on Friday. September corn settled at $4.64¼. August soybeans climbed 10½ cents to $12.48. September Chicago wheat dropped 18¼ cents to $6.78. August live cattle rose $1.67 to $227.07. At Laurel Grain Company in Laurel, Delaware, September corn is bringing $5.09 per bushel.
Forecast
Friday night will be mostly cloudy with a low near 64°F. Saturday brings mostly sunny skies and a high of 81°F, offering solid conditions for weekend fieldwork.
This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Evening Edition, July 24, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.
