Ag Economy

“It delivers much-needed enhancements to the farm safety net, including higher reference prices that reflect the current agricultural economy," AFBF noted.

Farmers are a little unsure of the ag economy right now. Farmer sentiment weakened in June as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer fell to 146.

More and more farmers are looking for alternative income streams and ways to bolster their farms’ bottom line. One way is through direct-to-consumer sales.

United States and China tensions and the resulting tariffs cost U.S. farmers $2 billion in lost exports this year

Farmers are typically an optimistic bunch, but unfortunately, many things that control their success or failure are beyond their control.  For example, the health of the U.S. and foreign economies has a direct impact on what farmers can do year in and year out.  Chris V...

American agriculture is still facing an uphill battle in finding enough labor for their farms.  Mike McCarthy, a specialty crop grower from Hood River, OR, recently shared his experiences with members of Congress.   “We're in a fruit-growing area, and we grow apples, pears, and cherries, along with a lot of other farmers in that area," McCarthy said.  "It's what you'd c...

According to the latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, farmer sentiment reached a four-year high in May.  Purdue University’s James Mintert said the Barometer rose 10 points to a reading of 158.   “That's the highest barometer reading we've received since May of 2021," Mintert pointed out.  "The Current Condition Index ...

June is National Dairy Month, a time to highlight the industry’s impact on communities across the country.   “Agriculture is still the backbone of Idaho's economy, especially in rural communities," noted Rick Naerebout is CEO of the Idaho Dairymen’s Association.  "You get outside the Trea...

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, if Congress doesn’t extend current tax provisions, farmers and ranchers will be forced to pay up to $9 billion more in federal taxes every year.  Tax relief enacted by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is set to expire at the end of this year, which would lead to tax increases for almost two-thirds of families, including those in rural America.   ...

The May Rural Mainstreet Index fell below the growth-neutral (a reading of 50.0) for the 19th time in the past 20 months.  The ten-state region covered by the Index came in at 44 during May, up from 40 in April.   “According to the bank CEOs in our survey, the economic outlook for 2025 farm income remains weak,” said Ernie Goss of Creighton University. “Almost one in four bankers ra...