Farm Journal's
Ag Economists
Monthly Monitor
A vetted group of agricultural economists provide a monthly read on the U.S. ag economy, tracked over time, providing a gauge on important industry drivers.
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.
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.
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.
The debate over immigration continues to be an issue in Washington. However, the Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor shows economists are still skeptical it’s enough for Congress to act on immigration reform.
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.
As pork producers’ potential profits continue to erode this year, some economists say 2023 could be financially worse than 1998, which is unearthing concerns about contraction, restructuring and vertical integration.
The Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor show economists expect USDA to make additional cuts to its yield estimates, but one economist thinks weather worries in South America could be an even bigger story than U.S. yields.
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.
![Ag Economists Monthly Monitor - Ag Economy Outlook - Main Article Image - 09-2023 - WEB[34].jpg](https://assets.farmjournal.com/dims4/default/dcdb1c6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x2338+0+81/resize/250x167!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffj-corp-pub.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fs3fs-public%2F2023-09%2FAg%20Economists%20Monthly%20Monitor%20-%20Ag%20Economy%20Outlook%20-%20Main%20Article%20Image%20-%2009-2023%20-%20WEB%5B34%5D.jpg)
Ag economists’ view on the ag economy is starting to erode. The September Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor shows lower commodity prices, concerns about demand and a negative outlook for China’s economy.
Even with red flags with demand and the economy, the August Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor shows economists continue to be impressed with the staying power of the U.S. ag economy, as well as the U.S. economy as a whole.