Farmer Sentiment Improves in January

Farmers were more optimistic about the agriculture economy in January.  But that doesn’t mean they don’t have concerns.  The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer said one of their biggest worries is farmland values.  The January reading of 143 was a 16-point jump over December.

The survey was the first opportunity to measure how farmers were feeling after the second round of Market Facilitation Payments came out, as well as how they felt about the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill.  Those two announcements gave a positive shot in the arm to producers’ sentiments on both their current and future economic conditions.  The January Index of Current Conditions jumped from 109 in December to 132 in January, while the Index of Future Expectations rose from 135 to 148.

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