Southwest Iowa’s harvest season is proving especially tough this year. Diesel fuel costs are about twice what they were last year, fertilizer prices have remained high for several years, and a rainy September left many fields soggy and difficult to work.
Young family feels the pinch
The Langenfelds, a 36‑year‑old farming couple who are roughly 20 years younger than the average Iowa farmer, are feeling the impact. Their farmstead was destroyed in the Arbor Day tornadoes of 2024, and although they have rebuilt a new home, the financial strain of reconstruction adds to the current challenges.
“I would not ever want to build a house again,” says Dianne Langenfeld, standing in her new kitchen. “We love our new home, but rebuilding was stressful.”
Harvest delayed by rain
Heavy rains this September delayed planting and harvesting operations. Trevor Langenfeld, who helps run the farm, notes that a later start means crops are drier and yields are lower.
“Well there’s a lot this year there’s been high fuel, muddy fields, a lot waiting for stuff to dry,” he said.
He adds that while prices for crops are “decent right now,” they could be better, and higher yields are essential when expenses are soaring.
Rising input costs
Diesel fuel costs have roughly doubled since last year, and equipment parts continue to rise in price. Trevor says he mitigated some of the fuel increase by locking in a price last spring before the market worsened.
“Inputs are high, fuel’s high, and it seems like parts are just keep getting higher for equipment,” he explained, noting that many fellow farmers have had to repair machinery more often this season.
Family labor and supplemental income
At 36, the Langenfelds are part of a shrinking group of younger farmers who still rely on family support. Trevor rents much of his land from his father, and Dianne observes that most younger growers work alongside a parent or grandparent.
“Everyone we know that farms, that’s younger than us or our age, farms with their dad or with their grandpa, or had it handed down to them,” Dianne said. “There’s not a lot of people who can start out by themselves.”
To diversify income, Trevor runs a manure‑spreading business that supplies fertilizer, while Dianne has held office jobs in nearby towns. Both say the extra work helps ensure the farm can be passed to the next generation.
Hope on the horizon
Despite the setbacks, the family remains optimistic. “Hopefully, mother nature is good to us for the rest of the fall and we can make it through,” Trevor said.
By Thursday morning, only about 70 acres remained to be harvested on the Langenfeld property, indicating steady progress toward completing the season’s work.
Broader context for Iowa growers
Senators Pete Ricketts and John Thune recently fielded questions from local producers about agriculture challenges, underscoring that the issues faced by the Langenfelds—rising fuel costs, equipment expenses, and weather‑related delays—are shared across the state’s farming community.
As Iowa’s agricultural sector continues to navigate higher input costs and unpredictable weather, families like the Langenfelds rely on hard work, supplemental jobs, and community support to keep their farms viable for future generations.
Original reporting: KMTV 3 News Now (Scripps) – local — read the source article.
