Economy and Trade

With the holiday season here, that means scammer are increasing their efforts to separate you from your personal information, your identity, your money and much more.  AARP’s Sean Voskuhl said scammers are not only targeting the elderly, but they now have children in their focus.  He said now i...

Cargill’s CEO said he expects food prices to decline in 2023.  Yahoo said that’s despite tight global crop stockpiles, especially in oilseeds.  David MacLennan, Cargill CEO, said the solution to the food versus fuel debate is to boost global crop commodity production.   “We don’t think i...

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 37th annual Thanksgiving Dinner survey, which looks at the cost of the meal for ten, this year’s turkey dinner will cost roughly 20% more than last year, and 36% higher than 2020.  This year’...

"Oil prices this morning have plummeted down to about $75 a barrel the lowest level since Russia's invasion of Ukraine back in February that has pushed gasoline and diesel prices down," said Patrick DeHaan with GasBuddy.  He added fuel prices have tumbled considerably over the past couple of weeks, resulting in relief at the local station.  He said ther...

How can agritourism benefit both the producer and consumer?  Rod Bain turned to Oregon State University to find out.     If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com ...

The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index fell below growth-neutral for the sixth-consecutive month.  On a scale of one to 100, with 50 representing growth neutral, the Economic Confidence Index plummeted to its lowest level since 2020.  Almost ...

Combine harvester sales showed double-digit gains during October in North America.  According to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, all tractor sales fell in the U.S. and Canada.  The latest AEM report says total U.S. ag equipment unit sales stayed above the five-year average for the third time since April.  Total f...

Interest rates on farm loans increased sharply in the third quarter, and the acceleration in farm real estate values continued to ease.  The Kansas City Fed said farm income and credit conditions remained solid, but the pace of improvement softened.  The fin...

The top concern facing agricultural lenders going into 2023 is interest rate volatility, according to the 2022 Agricultural Lender Survey report.  The report announced this week is produced jointly by the American Bankers Association and Farmer Mac.  Nearly ...

Between rising inflation and the ups-and-downs of the stock market, it’s not surprising that folks are concerned about their own financial situation.  And financial literacy is one way to sooth all of this "money stress."   One Northwest-based credit union is trying to share these skills with people who need them, regardless of age, background or education.  Frank Alvarez a br... Read Mo