interest rates

New data from the Department of Agriculture predicts farm income to increase in 2025.

Interest rates spent much of 2024 at or near the top of the news cycle.  Matthew Bennett, co-founder of AgMarket.net, said it’s important to not forget about interest rates in 2025.   “I just don't think you can cool them down too much, and if you do, when you do it quickly," he said.  "I would be very co...

Trade and tariffs have controlled much of the conversation across the farming community and in D.C.  But several commodity groups are trying to remind everyone that the Farm Bill is an issue that still needs to be addressed.  Samantha Parrott, Executive Director of the Snake River Sugarbeet Growers Association says the Farm Bill is not just a want for growers, but a need.   “Sugar is ...

Questions abound about the health and direction of the farm economy.  Ben Brown, agricultural economist with the University of Missouri’s Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute, said he’s getting a lot of questions about the overall U.S. economy.   I...

The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a half a point last week, which was a little larger than some economists had expected.  With that reduction, oil prices moved higher in trade, spending much of the past week in the mid $70 per barrel range.  Pa...

Kicking off an expected loosening of U.S. monetary policy, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by half a percentage point earlier this week.  The move brings a larger-than-normal reduction in the cost of borrowing, which followed growing concern about the health of America’s job market.  According to ...

The latest consumer price index data indicates a slowdown in inflation, which has dropped below 3% for the first time since 2021.  The Federal Reserve is expected to begin cutting interest rates this month, while longer-term interest rates have been falling for weeks.   ...

Oil prices for much of the month of September have edged down slightly, but steadily.  Patrick DeHaan with Gasbuddy.com says right now, the balance of the global economy is driving oil prices.   “Weakness in China has long overshadowed oil driving oil prices. In the last week do...

Despite numerous headwinds in 2022, agricultural lending by U.S. farm banks increased by 8.1% last year to $103.1 billion.  The American Bankers Association’s annual Farm Bank Performance Report said the change is due to a 9.7% increase in outstanding loans, secured by farmland and a 5.9% increas...

Farm real estate values increased considerably in 2022 but showed signs of softening during the final months of the year as interest rates rose sharply.  Interest rates on farm loans jumped to decade highs alongside increases in the federal funds rate.    ...