ernie goss

It's a tough time for grain farmers as the Rural Mainstreet Index takes a hit, reflecting deeper issues in agriculture.

A new report shows some positive economic news for the first time in months, but not everyone in farm country is feeling the same optimism.

The August Rural Mainstreet Index covering a multi-state region shows one-fifth of grain farmers will experience a negative cash flow in 2025.

For the sixth time this year, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index sank below growth neutral.

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...

For the 17th time in the last 18 months, the Rural Mainstreet Index dropped below 50 in February.  That’s from the monthly survey of bank CEOs across a ten-state region reliant on agriculture and energy.   The index plummeted from 42.3 in January to 38 i...

After advancing above growth neutral in November for the first time since 2023, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index sank below the 50.0 reading in December.  That’s according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a ten-state region dependent on agriculture or energy.  The index fell fro...

Is U.S. agriculture in a recession?  At least one economist thinks so.   Dr. Ernie Goss, a Creighton University professor, said your perspective depends on what sector of agriculture and the overall economy you’re discussing.   “We are in ...

For the 13th consecutive month, the Rural Mainstreet Index sank below growth neutral.  That’s according to a September survey of rural bank CEO’s.  The reading sank from 40.9 in August to 37.5 in September.  That is the lowest level for the Rural Mainstreet Index since the COVID Pandemic began in spring 2020.  The index ranges from 0 to 100, wi...

After three straight months of readings slightly above growth neutral, the Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index fell below the growth neutral threshold.  The March index slumped from 50.1 in February to a reading of 45.6 in March.  Despite...