Indiana Soybean Farmers: Understanding Federal Support

Indiana ranks among the top five soybean-producing states in the country. Along with corn, soybeans dominate Indiana's agricultural landscape — and the federal commodity programs that support those crops represent a significant part of Indiana farm income in down price years.

Soybean economics and ARC/PLC

Soybeans have a PLC reference price of $8.40/bushel. When prices are above that level, PLC pays nothing. During the strong commodity price years of 2021–2023, Indiana soybean farmers received minimal PLC payments. During weaker years (2015–2016, 2019) and particularly during trade-war disruptions, ARC or PLC payments were meaningful supplements to market income.

The 2019 trade war effect

The US-China trade war of 2018–2019 dramatically reduced soybean exports and depressed soybean prices. USDA responded with the Market Facilitation Program (MFP), which issued direct payments to soybean producers to compensate for trade-related losses. Indiana soybean farmers received significant MFP payments in FY2019 and FY2020. These payments show up in SubsidyLookup's data for that period.

Conservation programs

Indiana has active EQIP and CSP programs focused on nutrient management — particularly relevant given the state's position in the Upper Mississippi watershed. Cover crop adoption has grown significantly in Indiana, partly driven by EQIP cost-share payments.

County patterns

Indiana's largest farm payment counties are in the north and central portions of the state, where farm sizes are largest and corn-soybean production is most intensive. Use Indiana's state page to explore county-level detail and year-by-year program breakdowns.