Ag economist

Nearly every year for the past century, or so, U.S. wheat growers have gradually reduced wheat plantings.  For example, growers cut plantings this past year by about a million acres but, perhaps that trend is turning around for 2023.   “...

In early September, the USDA released its 2022 Farm Sector Income Forecast, which showed a mixed bag for the farm economy.  ERS predicts producer cash receipts will increase 21% to more than $525 billion nationally.  Crop values are expected to increase 9% year-over-year, while cash receipts from animal production will be up 28% from 2021 numbers.   Despite el...

Fertilizer prices are up dramatically this spring, increasing input costs for growers. Data from the Department of Agriculture shows prices are up between 17%-57% since the fall. David Widmar of Agricultural Economics Insights says that while nitrogen often gets the most attention, phosphorus prices are up the most ...

Researchers at Washington State University are looking at the potential biochar holds for farming communities and timber communities alike. Biochar is woody materials and forest residues converted into an amendment used to improve soil productivity ...

Farming is challenging, as is the business of selling those products. In an effort to help producers budget and get the best bang for their buck, the University of Idaho has a resource dedicated exclusively to the world of Agricultural economics ...

While a few, or perhaps even many, shelves at grocery stores across the country have been low during the coronavirus pandemic, " but if we look at the prices we weren't seeing big pricing," USDA Economist, Gianna Short, says the most recent Consumer Price Index which covers March, shows  a 0.4% d ...

When describing the food purchased at a grocery store, economists use the term "food at home".  USDA Economist Gianna Short said, according to the final retail price figures, 2019 grocery store prices increased less than 1% year over year.  An...

The agriculture sector is suffering from working capital that’s fallen to critically low levels.  That news is from the forecasting firm Agricultural Economic Insights.  The firm recently analyzed data put out by the Economic Research Service, saying the declines in working capital are stark.   Brent ...

When creating the 2018 Farm Bill, economist Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh with Kansas State University said the committee put farmer first and partisan politics second, which he noted is almost unheard of in today's Congressional operation.  The economist also noted many of the changes from the 2014 Farm Bill to the current legislation are good for the Ag economy as a whole.  An exam...

The Department of Agriculture released details Thursday of the trade aid package calculations for payments, a method previously unknown and questioned by some Ag sectors.  As the Trump Administration talked with lawmakers on the trade package, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue released a “detailed accounting” of how USDA calculated estimated damage from trade disruptions.   Perdue said ... Read M