Latest Net Farm Income Numbers Good News For US Farmers, AFBF Says

Last week, ERS released its September 2022 Farm Income Forecast.  American Farm Bureau Federation Economist Bernt Nelson said USDA revised farm income to be higher with net farm income up by $7.3 billion, a 5.2% year-over-year increase.  While enjoying increased farm income, Nelson pointed out expenses are higher as well.

“The February report showed a 17% increase from 2021 to 2022 in total farm expenses.  The September forecast increased total expenses 437.3 billion.  The greatest increases in expenses came first from fertilizer up 41%, and second place was pesticides up 25% from last year.  In third place, we have fuel costs increasing by 22% since 2021.”

Nelson added there’s been a lot of changes globally since the February report.

“I think the Russian invasion of Ukraine was really a wakeup call when we talk about a secure food supply," Nelson continued.  "Disruptions caused by the invasion caused a spike in crop prices, and then they came way back down again. This is a result of our farmers, they really stepped up to the plate and production was good. This has caused some of our supply concerns to be mellowed out a little bit.”

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