Kansas City

According to a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, farmers are taking out loans at a rate and scale not seen in years as weakened crop prices weigh on the agricultural sector.  The report said the volume of new operating loans increased at its fastest pace since 2017, with commercial banks issuing 40% more of these loans to farmers over last year.     ...

Navigating a softer Ag economy and no new Farm Bill were the chief topics at the Tenth Annual Ag Outlook Forum on September 16th in Kansas City.  Hosted by Agri-Pulse and the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City, the Forum is a critical information exchange between national leaders in ag policy, economics, and business during harvest season.  In an o...

Working lands, U.S. farmlands and forests are key to American natural resource conservation efforts.   “Most of the action around climate, smart agriculture and forest really is on the mitigation side," said USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie.  "How can...

While tight margins are currently experienced by many farm producers, as reflected in USDA September farm income forecast, Agriculture Department chief economist Seth Meyer told an audience at the recent Agri-Pulse Ag Outlook Forum at Kansas City market shocks could lead to price spikes, however...

Last week's farm income forecast from USDA reflects what chief economist Seth Meyer calls a cost price squeeze and part of the cyclical nature of farm economics.   “We go through these periods where we have a shock in the market, prices, jump input prices, follow them as farmers do what they do best, which is produce their way through it. Those pri...

Ag credit stress was limited in the second quarter of 2024 but showed signs of tightening amid lower crop prices and rising input costs.  Those are the findings from a survey by the Federal Reserve Bank in Kansas City.  Farm income in the Tenth Federal Reserve District dropped faster than in recent quarters amid lower crop prices and increased expenses.   “Despite s...

Super Bowl 57 is this Sunday, and while many things can affect the outcome of the game, one thing for certain; we Americans love chicken wings during the big game.  The National Chicken Council released its annual Chicken Wing Report, projecting Americans will eat a record-breaking 1.45 billio...

The American Farm Bureau Federation expects a major hearing on the Federal Milk Marketing Order this year.  The Federation recently set its policy priorities for the year, at the 2023 AFBF Annual Convention.  The Farm Bureau was armed with the outcome of the AFBF Federal Milk Marketing Order Forum that took place last fall in Kansas City, MO.  AFBF Economist Da...

Farm loan interest rates increased sharply during the third quarter.  The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City said despite the high borrowing costs, farm real estate values continued higher.  However, the rate of increase slowed in the quarter.   Follo...

The Federal Reserve recently released its October 2022 Beige Book, which provides as update on current conditions in the agricultural economy.   Ag conditions in the sixth district near Atlanta were mixed as cotton growers noted softening demand, while row crop production remained sold.  in...