Ag Economy

Creighton University’s most recent monthly Rural Mainstreet Index Survey, was primarily sideways, that according to survey organizer Ernie Goss.  He noted the Federal Reserve raising interest rates has cooled economic activity, but not as much as the Fed Reserve would like.  Goss anticipa...

The Ag economist for the Washington State Department of Agriculture says 2023 is shaping up to be a good year for the farm economy across the Evergreen state.  Madi Roy says the Washington farm economy is fairly stable right now, but many are proceeding with caution.  One of ...

According to the latest USDA Ag prices reports, American producers received almost 10% less price wise for their commodities in total in January.  The 9.7% month-over-month decline in prices received for all producers was the same number indicated for prices within the livestock index.    ...

Nearly $101 billion.  That’s the economic impact the potato industry has on the U.S. economy.   On Tuesday, the National Potato Council released, "Measuring the Economic Significance of the U.S. Potato Industry," a comprehensive analysis on the domestic economic impact of potatoes.  The analysis, auth...

Will the nation's farm sector generate yet another record amount of net income in 2023 as it's done the last two years?   “No, but the expectation is it will still be an above average year.”   USDA chief economist Seth Meyer told the USDA Outlook Forum last week that he expects net cash farm income this year to be $150.5 billion, which, if ...

AgWest Farm Credit announced Wednesday it will distribute cash patronage dividends equal to 1.25% of customers’ eligible average daily loan balances in 2022.  Eligible customers throughout the West will receive patronage payments totaling $366.5 million.  ...

Access to credit is an important key to success in American agriculture.  Brian Tombari, Productivity Plus Program Manager at CNH Industrial Capital, said they can help to simply a farmer’s purchasing process.   “Case IH’s captive finance partner, CNH Industrial Capital, offers a line of credit called Productivity Plus," Tombari noted.  "This line of credit can ...

The USDA’s new farm income forecast for 2023 says the farm sector as a whole will see net cash income down from last year's record high by almost 21% but many analysts are quick to point out.   “Almost any year in connection to 2022 is going to look less favorable," USDA chief economist Seth Meyer said farm country can’t look at new forecast as a farm income disaster.   “Yes, it is declin...

As farmers look ahead to 2023, many are concerned about what the financial picture hold in store.  While many producers enjoyed record commodity prices last year, there were several headwinds, from high input costs, to trade issues, and of course, weather problems, giving many reason to pause in the months ahead.  Heather...

There are several reasons behind the USDA forecasting a 21% drop in net cash income for farmers this year, but one of the more obvious reasons is the roughly 34% drop in government payments.  USDA chief economist Seth Meyer said 2023 will mark a couple of years in a row of direct government payments declining.  Meyer s...