ag lending

The number of farm businesses that are highly leveraged has fallen since 2015, but is forecast to increase slightly this year.  Farm businesses accounted for more than 94% of U.S. farm sector production in 2017.  That year, farm businesses held 90 of all farm assets and 96% of farm debt.  However...

U.S. farm banks increased agricultural lending by 5.3%, or $5.5 billion, to $108 billion in 2018.  The American Bankers Association recently released its annual Farm Bank Performance Report.  The report found that in 2018, farm banks' asset quality remained healthy and non-performing loans stayed at a pre-recession level of 0.52% of to...

Agriculture lenders in recent years have increased support and ease of financing for beginning and young farmers with the hope of creating easier entry into farming and ranching.  What are some of the attributes is the USDA look for in these new farmers?  ...

It’s a trend that doesn’t show signs of slowing anytime soon.  The consolidation of farms and farming business will have a big impact on rural America in 2019 and beyond.  Jeff Plagge said he’s very concerned about the impact consolidation will have not only on farmers and the Ag economy, the Ag bankers and lenders.  He said its important esp...

Large operating loans made by large agricultural banks led to a significant increase in farm lending in the third quarter of 2018.  According to the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank, the total volume of non-real estate farm loans was more than 30% higher than a year ago.  A sharp...

According to a new report from the American Bankers Association, agricultural lending from U.S. banks increased nearly 6% in 2017.  Ag lending increased $5.9 billion to $106 billion last year from farm banks, which are defined as banks whose ratio of domestic farm loans to total domestic loans is greater than or equal to the industry average.   ...

If you’re not happy with the weather, wait a little while and things will change.  That phrase works not only for the weather, but the overall ag economy.  Ag economist and financial analyst Dr. Dave Kohl recently spoke at the 2017 Ag Bankers Conference in Wisconsin.  He said the a...

It’s not a question of if a farmer needs to borrow money, but when and how much.  When that time comes, it’s important that both sides of the relationship are honest and upfront.  Curt Covington, former ag banker, currently with Farmer Mac, says farmers first need to make their case to a loan officer, but remember, that officer must run the information up the chain of commend.  So, he said it’s vi