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Sara Schafer

Sara (Muri) Schafer, editor of Top Producer magazine, grew up on a family farm where they raised hogs and cattle, along with soybeans, corn, wheat, milo and hay. Since joining Farm Journal Media in 2008, she has covered a broad range of topics pivotal to the success of U.S. farmers. In addition to being an award-winning journalist, she has played several key roles with the transformative relaunch of AgWeb.com and spearheaded the Farm Journal Legacy Project expansion. Sara graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a degree in agricultural journalism and a minor in agricultural economics. She resides in Columbia, Mo., with her husband and daughter.

Latest Stories
Cash rents in Iowa are down 1.4% to an average of $219 per acre for the 2019 crop year, according to an annual survey conducted by Iowa State University.
Retail Industry
Iowa 2019 Cash Rents Drop 1%
Cash rents in Iowa are down 1.4% to an average of $219 per acre for the 2019 crop year, according to an annual survey conducted by Iowa State University.
September 19, 2022 09:44 PM
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Sara Schafer
Farmers continue to face declining farm income in the Midwest and Mid-South regions, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Meanwhile, after holding steady farmland values have edged lower.
Retail Industry
Midwest and Mid-South: Farmland Values Softer, Cash Rents Up
Farmers continue to face declining farm income in the Midwest and Mid-South regions, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Meanwhile, after holding steady farmland values have edged lower.
September 19, 2022 09:44 PM
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Sara Schafer
Despite continued, several factors are pointing to some downward pressure on farmland markets.
Retail Industry
4 Factors That Could Cause Lower Farmland Values
Despite continued, several factors are pointing to some downward pressure on farmland markets.
September 19, 2022 09:44 PM
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Sara Schafer
In the past few years, farmland values have been surprisingly resilient. Looking forward, however, prices may lean lower.
Retail Industry
What Could Dampen Farmland Values?
In the past few years, farmland values have been surprisingly resilient. Looking forward, however, prices may lean lower.
September 19, 2022 09:44 PM
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Sara Schafer
Despite a slower land market, Farmers National has seen a 29% increase in the number of acres sold by the company compared to last year and 22% over two years ago.
Retail Industry
On the Edge: Farmland Values Treading Water … for Now
Despite a slower land market, Farmers National has seen a 29% increase in the number of acres sold by the company compared to last year and 22% over two years ago.
September 19, 2022 09:43 PM
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Sara Schafer
For the fifth consecutive year, land values have declined in Nebraska.
Retail Industry
Nebraska Land Values Sink by 3%
For the fifth consecutive year, land values have declined in Nebraska.
September 19, 2022 09:43 PM
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Sara Schafer
The farm economy remains under pressure, with several key indicators showing farmers are facing financial strain. But, a few positive factors could help support credit conditions in the future.
Retail Industry
Stable Farmland Values Could Support Weak Farm Economy
The farm economy remains under pressure, with several key indicators showing farmers are facing financial strain. But, a few positive factors could help support credit conditions in the future.
September 19, 2022 09:43 PM
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Sara Schafer
The average farm real estate values for the U.S. is $3,160 per acre in 2019. That’s up $60 from 2018, according to USDA’s 2019 Land Values Summary. 
Retail Industry
U.S. Farm Real Estate Up $60 Per Acre
The average farm real estate values for the U.S. is $3,160 per acre in 2019. That’s up $60 from 2018, according to USDA’s 2019 Land Values Summary.
September 19, 2022 09:43 PM
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Sara Schafer
Values declined an average of 0.59% in the first six months of 2019 for the 64 benchmark farms FCSAmerica monitors in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming.
Retail Industry
Farmland Values in the Grain Belt States Hold Firm
Values declined an average of 0.59% in the first six months of 2019 for the 64 benchmark farms FCSAmerica monitors in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming.
September 19, 2022 09:43 PM
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Sara Schafer
Retail Industry
Flooded Farmland: Should You Adjust the Lease?
As waters recede from the thousands of acres that were flooded this spring, attention turns to spring planting. If those acres are rented, who will pay for the cleanup? Should the rental rate be adjusted?
September 19, 2022 09:43 PM
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Sara Schafer
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