US Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Sector NAICS 11

Jul 16, 2026 - Farm Lending by Ag Banks Grows

• Farm lending remained generally healthy in the first quarter of 2026, but credit conditions are becoming more uneven across the US farm sector, according to latest Federal Reserve commercial bank data. Agricultural banks continued expanding both production and real estate lending in Q1, while several of the largest non-agricultural banks reduced production loans by nearly 10%, reflecting greater caution toward financially stressed crop producers. Farm loan delinquencies remained low overall, supported by government payments, strong cattle income, and stable farmland values, although large lenders continued to report weaker loan performance than smaller agricultural banks. The shift in lending suggests farmers may increasingly rely on specialized agricultural lenders for operating credit, while crop producers facing lower commodity prices and tighter margins could encounter more selective lending standards from the nation's largest banks.
• The 2026 wildfire season is intensifying pressure on US forests as prolonged drought, extreme heat, and reduced federal forest management capacity fuel larger, more destructive fires, the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reports. By late June, more than 35,000 wildfires had burned nearly 3 million acres, about 195% of the 10-year average for that point in the year, with forecasts calling for 5.5 million to 8 million acres burned in 2026, per the NIFC. Dense forests with accumulated fuels and reduced hazardous fuel treatments are increasing the risk of severe crown fires that damage timber, wildlife habitat, and watersheds. The NIFC argues that restoring forest management capacity, expanding fuel reduction projects such as thinning and prescribed burns, and strengthening wildfire resilience are critical to protecting forest resources and reducing future wildfire losses as fires become increasingly difficult to suppress.

• A new report from the Ocean Conservancy (OC) warns that climate change, overfishing pressures, bycatch issues, and weakening fish populations are creating growing risks for the US commercial fishing sector. The OC report finds many federally managed fisheries continue to struggle despite decades of rebuilding efforts, with numerous fish stocks, including key species like flounder, salmon, and shrimp, remaining overfished or showing declining population trends. As ocean conditions change for the worse, commercial fishers could face tighter catch limits, shifting fish migration patterns, and higher operational uncertainty. The report also raises concerns about reduced NOAA funding and fisheries management resources by the Trump administration, which could affect stock assessments, regulatory oversight, and long-term sustainability planning. For the US commercial fishing industry, the findings underscore increasing pressure to adapt operations, invest in sustainable practices, and prepare for greater regulatory and environmental volatility across key fisheries.
• An Ohio proposal that could expand the use of eminent domain and land acquisition authority for data center and related infrastructure projects is raising concerns among farmers about the potential loss of agricultural land, Successful Farming reports. Agricultural groups argue that the measure could make it easier for large technology and utility projects to compete with farming operations for land, increasing development pressure in rural areas. As data center construction accelerates, demand for land, electricity, and water resources is growing, potentially driving up farmland values and creating conflicts over land use. Farmers and ranchers worry that productive agricultural acreage could be converted to industrial development, reducing land available for crop and livestock production. The debate highlights the broader challenge of balancing rapid growth in AI and data center infrastructure with the long-term needs of agricultural communities and food production.