If you’ve been following the agriculture industry lately, you know it’s been a turbulent ride for America’s farmers. The number of farm operations filing for bankruptcy has nearly doubled compared to the same time last year. During the second quarter of 2025, there were 93 filings, the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis reports. That’s not just a jump from 88 in the first quarter; it’s also almost twice as many as the 47 filings we saw at the end of 2024. Plus, rising input costs on essentials like fertilizer, seed, fuel and equipment are outpacing commodity prices.  

Meet Terry Aukes: Third-generation Iowa farmer 

For Terry Aukes, who helps run Aukes Family Farms in Larchwood, Iowa, these numbers aren’t just headlines—they’re real life.  

“We’ve been farming here for four generations. We row crop mostly corn and soybeans, and it’s gotten harder every year to make the numbers work,” Terry shared.  

He has watched the ups and downs of the ag economy for decades, weathering droughts, floods and market swings, but says the pressure lately is different. Terry explains that farmers are really feeling squeezed these days, facing both higher input costs and rising interest rates.  

“We’re all very concerned. It’s like a double whammy that’s cutting into profits and making it harder to stay financially stable. You have to get creative and look at all your options to keep the farm going,” Terry says.  

Why SECURE Financing is a lifeline farmers need right now  

Against this backdrop, programs like WinField® United’s SECURE Financing have become more than just helpful—they’re essential.  

For those unfamiliar, SECURE Financing offers flexible terms and competitive-fixed rates on input loans, including seed, crop protection, fertilizer and related services. Our retail-owners work with WinField United to offer the program to their farmer customers, providing a turnkey option that’s efficient. 

As WinField United Director of Services Mike Anderson explained, one standout feature is the flexibility. Starting on Sept. 1, 2025, farmers that are approved for loans for the 2026 crop and won’t have to pay off those loans until February 2027. This gives growers maximum flexibility to make procurement decisions, manage grain marketing, and handle taxes and expenses across three calendar years. 

“We’re somewhat unique in this finance space because our system is in the business we finance. We’re supplying fertilizer, seed, crop protection, and sometimes our ag retailers are buying grain from these growers so it’s a win-win to make it easier for them to purchase the products they need,” Mike says. 

Terry learned about SECURE Financing through his local ag retailer Cooperative Farmers Elevator (CFE) and admits he was skeptical at first.  

“We’ve always done our borrowing with the bank, and I didn’t want to get tied up in a bunch of paperwork. But my agronomist walked me through it. It was a simple online application that took a few minutes. I signed up for the 2017 crop and have enrolled every year since,” Terry says.  

Kristi Habben, Credit Manager at CFE, says their co-op was one of the first to offer SECURE Financing to growers.  

“We’re always looking for ways to support our growers, and SECURE Financing has been a strong tool in that effort. It kind of eases the pressure by offering competitive interest rates, and those options can help make a real difference in the growers’ bottom lines,” Kristi says.  

Investing in the farm’s future 

In 2025, over $1 billion in loans were approved, with about 5,000 growers participating in the SECURE Financing program. Mike estimates it could be closer to 6,000 growers by the 2026 season. The average loan size? Just over $100,000. 

“Ten years ago, ag retailers rarely offered financing options to growers, but SECURE Financing has changed that by empowering retailers and farmers to work together for greater success,” Mike says.  

On top of rising input costs and interest rates, Terry says he and other Iowa farmers had to deal with tough disease pressure this year. He pointed out that southern rust hit their corn crop pretty hard, thanks to a wetter-than-expected summer.   

“Some bankers are telling us to cut crucial inputs like fungicides. But farming isn’t just about cutting expenses, it’s about making informed decisions that drive returns. Choosing to use crop protection was definitely the right call for us. Thanks to SECURE financing’s competitive interest rates, we could make the investment and really protect our corn yields from southern rust. What I like about SECURE Financing is that you get to work with a WinField United agronomist who truly gets that farming is all about looking at the big picture and how everything works together,” Terry says.  

Building continued resilience and support through the co-op system 

As the program grows, customization is key.  

“In the first nine years, we tried to standardize as much as possible to drive efficiency. Now, we’re realizing retailers and growers across the U.S. have different needs. We’re offering more options and flexibility to meet them where they are. Training and support are also central. Retailers can choose a fully digital experience or stick with paper applications. We’ve got folks who can help train and educate, not just on offers and terms, but on systems, statements and billing,” Mike adds. 

Terry says despite everything they’re dealing with, he’s confident that it’s just another rough patch for the family—and like always, they’ll get through it with some help.  

“You’ve got to stay resilient. For us, working with the cooperative really helps. Take WinField United, for example, they bring in the data and stand behind the products and services they offer. Then, CFE takes it a step further by testing those things right here, locally. That’s how we’re able to work with CFE to make the best decisions for our farming operation. Not just for the next season, but for the next generation.” 

Want to learn more about SECURE Financing or interested in enrolling? Go here. The deadline to enroll for the 2026 season is April 30, 2026.