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The Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor is a gauge of economists’ views on the ag economy. While outlooks have grown weaker, it’s the erosion in the future outlook that is sprouting fresh concerns.

Purdue's Ag Economy Barometer Index is up for March - something Jim Mintert says is a result of increased farmer optimism for the future.

Despite significant interest from potential buyers driven by soaring land values, Iowa farmers show a strong inclination to retain ownership of their operation.

Rising interest rates in the past few years have squeezed their margins for error. Higher operational costs, volatile markets and even more volatile weather make doing the Biggest Job on Earth harder than ever. 

Farm attorney Matt Folz shares the pros and cons of creating a charitable remainder trust.

Industry experts share what to include in a financial plan and where they'd consider making room in the budget.

“We are talking about fuel produced in 2025, but that is going to use the crop we are growing this year,” Mitchell Hora says.

Paul Neiffer, The Farm CPA, details some of the Biden administration's 2025 budget plans and how they could affect farmers if approved. Of the provisions, only one would potentially help farmers, he says.

The latest Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor projects a major drop in net farm income this year. Economists are also growing more pessimistic about the potential for interest rate cuts in 2024.

Kevin Charleston, owner of Specialty Risk Insurance, shares a few ways to protect yourself and your operation against a gap in coverage.

The team at Traction Ag is working to provide via its cloud-based farm accounting application a system that captures all the financial and field information farmers need to record and manage.

Alan Hoskins, president of American Farm Mortgage, shares his expectations for the economy and how it changes the buying process.

“It’s hard to put yourself in growth mode when things are getting so expensive,” says Tanner Ehmke with CoBank.

As president and CEO, Ryan LeGrand's job is to develop relationships and export markets for U.S. grain farmers. His advice for those who are just getting started in their career is a bit unconventional.

According to two sources, in recent days the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York has interviewed former ADM employees, ramping up pressure on the global commodities giant.

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. 

Consultant Bruce Vande Steeg has found creating a vibrant farm business starts with the leadership.

Cotton growers are tough because they have to be. Cotton is a challenging crop to grow, especially in Southwestern states like Texas, where soaring temperatures meet chronic drought and other water restrictions.

Shay Foulk shares six ways to mitigate loss and plan to pilot through tough years.

Vikram Luthar’s leave is pending an ongoing investigation being conducted by outside counsel for ADM and the Board’s Audit Committee.

Land in a C corporation is easy to check into the corporation, but it can be difficult to check out without paying income tax on it.

Global grain and oilseed markets featured an unusual level of uncertainty and chaos in recent years. While headwinds may wane, RaboResearch analysts say crosswinds could continue in 2024 and beyond.

The latest barometer, which is based on an economic sentiment survey of 400 agricultural producers each month, recorded a reading of 114 – down 1 point compared to a month earlier. 

Farmers routinely handle high-dollar transactions — and the nature of the payments, often through unsecure methods, leaves them susceptible to foul play.

Combined, the organizations have a reach of over 85,000 producers in eight states.

From the election to world trade, as well as geopolitical factors that have the potential to shape agriculture in 2024, the December Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor shows the possibility of several economic surprises.

Ron DeSantis, candidate for 2024 Republican presidential nomination and current Florida governor, joined Chip Flory on AgriTalk to share his motivation to be president and plans for agriculture if elected.

Looking at the farm economy as well as lending conditions, over 260 ag lenders ranked their top 12 concerns for what institutions and producers are facing.

We asked some of our previous Top Producer of the Year awardees to share a bit about what’s happening on their farming operations — looking at both the past year and out on the horizon.

Periods of profitability and loss come in waves and Shay Foulk is sharing three key things to do in 2024 to make the best of it.

The company, with sales of $94 billion last year, will create legally separate entities for the three units, trade union IGBCE said in a statement on Thursday, which was confirmed by a company spokesperson.

As the year comes to a close, Paul Neiffer shares five ways to minimize the impact of income taxes.

Farmers have struggled with the same business and family problem essentially forever: what happens to the farm when parents die. The conflict between fairness and equality has never been truly resolved.

Following a few turbulent years that included a pandemic, rapid inflation, rising interest rates, a supply chain meltdown and high input costs, agriculture is hoping to find softer soil as it marches through mid-decade.

This fall, Farm Journal’s Chip Flory and Michelle Rook traveled to the Port of Grays Harbor in Washington and the Port of South Louisiana. Here's what they learned about two very different ports with two important jobs.

After two months of a waning outlook on the ag economy, economists views took a turn in the November Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor, a survey of nearly 70 ag economists from across the country.

Farm income is expected to drop notably from last year alongside lower revenues and higher expenses, but remain well above the historic average.

As growers finish their harvests, they’re already looking forward to next year — seeking ways to increase yields and decrease expenses. By partnering with BASF Agricultural Solutions, they can achieve both goals.

Mark Faust shares objectives in seven key areas that can intensify your operation's vision, divergence and focus.

Regardless of preferences or past assumptions on storage, Shay Foulk encourages growers to run the numbers to see if new or more storage makes sense in their operations.

Though inflation is currently high, Indiana ag lender Joe Kessie doesn’t expect a repeat of what he experienced in his early career for three main reasons.

Political unrest, a healthy ag economy and the start of an election year. These are all reasons economists in the October Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor think it could 2025 before Congress passes a new farm bill.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, you will be required to report online to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FINCen) any entity that is required to be filed with your state.

Leading financial experts underscore the importance of farmers understanding the do’s and don’ts of a Line of Credit that will help producers during the downside of the rollercoaster markets they have gotten to know.

Knowing your cost of production allows you to make changes — you can’t improve what you don’t measure.

Farmers are opting to tap into their savings from recent prosperous years instead of taking out loans at the highest interest rates since 2007, according to surveys conducted by regional Federal Reserve banks.

A Bushel online survey found a correlation between marketing satisfaction and understanding and use of cost of production data.

When the IRS audited the Hajda farm, an agent arrived at the property, sat inside the farmhouse kitchen, and pored over the family’s finances.

While ag economists continue to be at odds when it comes to the likelihood of a recession in the U.S., some doubt the country's biggest importers will be able to avoid a recession over the next 18 months.

“It’s likely managing a slimmer margin in production agriculture will be closer to the 1980s than the 2010s.”