Farmers are feeling better about their finances for the first time in over a year, but they're still holding back on spending big money on equipment and land improvements.
Purdue University's latest farm economy survey paints a cautious picture — crop producers are especially pessimistic, with just 25 percent expecting good times ahead compared to 68 percent of livestock producers.
Farmers are feeling the squeeze like never before, with rising costs pushing them to take on bigger loans. It's a tough road ahead for American growers.
Farmer sentiment improved last month as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer climbed eight points in April to a reading of 148. The improvement in farmers’ sentiment was bolstered by increases in both the Index of Current Conditions, which rose nine points to 141, and the Index of Future Expectations, which rose eight points to 152. Dr. Michael L...