Farm Economy
Recessions often lead to decreased demand for certain agricultural products, particularly those considered discretionary, such as cotton, dairy, specialty meat products and vegetables. This can result in lower prices for these commodities, affecting farmers’ revenues.
Farm Credit Services of America and Frontier Farm Credit released their benchmark farmland values report showing a 2.4 percent decline in cropland values.
Beginning Sept. 1, Cargill will transform from five enterprises into three: Food, Ag & Trading and a Specialized Portfolio, the memo said.
USDA’s current net farm income forecasts show a $90-billion plus drop over the two-year period, making it the largest dollar value loss, adjusted for inflation, that agriculture has ever seen.
Testimony at House Ag hearing Tuesday captured the downturn and anxiety in the ag sector.
Property insurance costs for farmers and ranchers have been increasing, driven by several factors, including climate change, market conditions, and rising production expenses.
The push for more solar energy projects across the U.S. is intersecting with agriculture, and as farmland has become a key target for projects in the Midwest, it’s creating some eye-popping offers.
Headwinds in interest rates, inflation and commodity prices seem to have little impact on land values, though single-digit decreases in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio have been reported.
The latest Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor, a survey of nearly 70 ag economists from across the U.S., shows the lack of exports, as well as the current crop prices, are eroding outlooks on the crops side. While strong beef demand and cheaper feed prices are creating more optimism in cattle.
The barometer reported its lowest reading since May 2023, falling seven points from December and 24 points from January 2023.
Ag economists’ views on the ag economy took a dive in the first Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor of 2024; however, relatively strong balance sheets and working capital could provide a cushion for 2024.
Noted ag economist Dr. David Kohl forecasts tighter margins in the year ahead and emphasizes the need to globalize and future-proof operations.
Findings from CoBank’s new quarterly report provides updates on the U.S. economy and agricultural markets.
If Congress doesn’t pass stopgap funding, crop production and progress reports will probably stall. That won’t bode well for markets. “Usually it means that we’ve got some selling pressure ahead,” says one analyst.
There’s a new record farmland sale on the books. After a 15-min. bidding war between two area farmers, the gavel fell at $34,800 per acre, which is $4,800 more than the previous record set in November 2022 in Iowa.
Sixty-five percent of farmers surveyed in July expect interest rates to climb in the next 12 months. On a positive note, 7 out of 10 said they expect farmland cash rental rates to remain roughly the same for 2024.
The rural economy keeps chugging along, according to the Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index. For the ninth straight month, the RMI has stayed above growth neutral.
For 14 straight months, the rural economy has posted healthy and consistent growth.
For 15 straight months, the rural economy has posted healthy and consistent growth.
For the first time since September 2020, the rural economy is showing signs of weakness.
Trouble continues in the rural economy. Rural bankers point to the issues causing uncertainty ahead.
For the sixth time in the past seven months, the rural economy has posted signs of weakness. That’s according to the Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) from Creighton University.
For a sixth consecutive month, the rural economy has posted signs of weakness. That’s according to the Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) from Creighton University.
The rural economy seems to be set on cruise in neutral gear. That’s according to the Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) from Creighton University.
Economic growth is stalling in rural America. That’s according to the Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) from Creighton University.
Most agricultural co-ops are often invisible to consumers, even as they keep grocery prices in check by letting farmers stay economically sustainable.
What will the next decade hold for your farm? What factors should you use to weigh investments or crop planning? Here are five trends and data sets to ponder from USDA’s latest Agricultural Baseline Projections.
Farmland and input price jumps in 2022 continue to be top-of-mind for producers as they look to 2023. Interest in carbon sequestration has also spiked. Here’s a look at the latest Ag Barometer with Purdue’s Jim Mintert.
Trouble started brewing for the rural economy earlier this summer. Now it’s been confirmed for five straight months.
Economists see interest-rate increases raising likelihood of recession to 44% in coming 12 months.