CoBank

A new CoBank Report on the forces shaping the economy in 2026 says ample grain supplies will likely continue burdening the markets in the New Year.

Declining labor force participation, lower birth rates and a collapse in net migration are combining to squeeze the U.S. labor supply.

Rural broadband has been a discussion topic at the local, state, and federal levels for some time.   “Well, we've made progress," noted Jeff Johnston, lead economist for digital infrastructure at CoBank.  "If you look back to where we were before COVID and how COVID exposed how vulnerable those who are living in rural America who do not have access to the internet, you know how vulnerabl

A new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange says the competitive landscape for rural broadband operators is rapidly evolving as improved technologies have made wireless broadband more viable and scalable, even in hard-to-serve public areas.  Com...

A new report from CoBank says rapidly worsening expectations about everything from inflation to personal income to business conditions and labor supplies are elevating economic concerns in farm country.  The question of whether the declining expectations will translate into slower spending and tightening profit margins will likely come into view by late June.  ...

The U.S. continues benefiting from solid economic growth, low unemployment, and moderating inflation, and the overall economy will likely continue on that trajectory next year.  However, the rural economic outlook is more uncertain.    ...

Sustainable aviation fuel could emerge as the next big opportunity for substantial growth in U.S. biofuel production with proper market and regulatory incentives.  Agricultural feedstocks could play a leading role in the supply chain for domestic SAF production.  However...

Dairy demand has slowly picked up throughout 2024.  Cory Geiger, lead dairy economist at CoBank, said lower supplies have resulted in higher prices.   “A lot of dynamics moving around the market right now," he noted.  "Early in the year...

The outlook for agricultural retailers is generally favorable for 2023, following a year of record profits in 2022.  However, the sector faces emerging risks that could depress profit margins and challenge traditional business models in the years ahead.  Lower l...

The U.S. economy will progressively slow through the first half of this year, and recession fears are still high, and warranted.  That assessment from CoBank, adding inflation is starting to loosen its grip on farm country.  While a slowing economy does mean that impact of inflation is expected to diminish, that also means the crop prices, and lesser extent livestock prices producers receive in 20