STATEHOUSE – State Senator Eric Koch (R-Bedford) met with key representatives from the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) this week to discuss the mounting economic and legislative challenges facing Hoosier farmers.
The meeting included Jackson County board members Donald Schnitker and Tyler Pottschmidt, who highlighted the thin margins currently impacting the agricultural sector. As the representative for Senate District 44—which encompasses Jackson, Brown, Lawrence, and Orange counties—Senator Koch has been a vocal advocate for rural infrastructure and water resource management.
Navigating a Tough Economic Climate
The discussion comes at a critical time for Indiana’s 20,000 soybean farmers. While Indiana remains a national leader in production, 2026 has introduced several hurdles:
- Export Uncertainty: Shifting trade dynamics with China have forced Indiana growers to seek alternative markets, with exports currently tracking below 2024 levels.
- Rising Input Costs: Farmers like Schnitker and Pottschmidt are navigating elevated costs for fertilizer, machinery, and fuel, even as commodity prices face downward pressure.
- Checkoff Protections: A major focus of the legislative session is Senate Bill 55, which would create a “fallback” state soybean development program. This ensures that if federal checkoff programs—which fund vital research at Purdue University—were ever discontinued, Indiana would have its own safety net to continue market development.
“It’s all about building relationships and ensuring our legislators understand the reality of modern agriculture,” noted ISA leadership during the session.
Indiana Soybeans: By the Numbers
Indiana is a powerhouse in the global soybean market. The following table highlights the scale of the industry within the state:
| Statistic | 2025/2026 Data |
| National Rank | 4th in the United States |
| Average Yield | ~53.0 bushels per acre |
| Economic Impact | $4+ Billion annually |
| Primary Use | Livestock feed (Pork, Poultry, and Beef) |
Legislative Priorities for 2026
In addition to the checkoff legislation, Senator Koch and the ISA discussed several other bills aimed at protecting the “Hoosier Heartland”:
- HB 1185: Expanding the use of Clean Water Indiana funds to support the Mesonet weather monitoring system, providing farmers with hyper-local climate data.
- SB 230: Formally solidifying the Indiana FFA as a responsibility of the State Department of Agriculture to ensure the next generation of farmers is well-supported.
- Water Infrastructure: Senator Koch continues to prioritize Senate Enrolled Act 4, which protects Indiana’s water resources from large-scale basin transfers, ensuring rural farms maintain reliable access to water.
The Indiana General Assembly will continue to deliberate on these agricultural priorities through the end of February.
