Latest News From Farm Economy

It's beginning to feel a lot like Groundhog Day as grains continue to bleed lower following another disappointing weekly export sales report. Is there any hope?

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.

Most agricultural co-ops are often invisible to consumers, even as they keep grocery prices in check by letting farmers stay economically sustainable.

The job market is strong, and the economy is slowly growing. However, there are four complicating issues making investors defensive, which reduces money flow to the markets.

Economic growth is stalling in rural America. 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. 

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.

There's been recent developments in the U.S. farmland market, including policymakers' concerns about foreign ownership of such assets.

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.

This article discusses variables impacting if soybean prices will go higher or lower in the short and long term.

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.

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.

Trouble continues in the rural economy. Rural bankers point to the issues causing uncertainty ahead.

Economists see interest-rate increases raising likelihood of recession to 44% in coming 12 months.

For the first time since September 2020, the rural economy is showing signs of weakness.

The latest round of agricultural credit condition surveys from the Federal Reserve banks show high farm real estate values are supporting farm finances. 

For 18 straight months, the rural economy has posted healthy and consistent growth, yet signs of weakness may be surfacing.

For 17 straight months, the rural economy has posted healthy and consistent growth. That’s according to the March Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) from Creighton University.

Inflation is exceptionally difficult to tame, says Chip Flory, Farm Journal Economist and “AgriTalk” Host: “To tame it, you have to kill it. If you kill it, you kill the economy, and it sends you into recession.”

For March 2021, the Rural Mainstreet Index sits at 65.4. That is up from February’s 61.5.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has triggered price spikes and broad concerns in three important global markets that affect agriculture--oil and gas, fertilizer, and grains.

This article discusses what market variables are contributing to current corn market fluctuations.

For 15 straight months, the rural economy has posted healthy and consistent growth.

For 14 straight months, the rural economy has posted healthy and consistent growth.

This data confirms the obvious — there is plenty of income and cash in farm country and is being reflected in the record prices being paid for farmland.

For 12 straight months, the Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) has remained above growth neutral, to the Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index.

For nearly a year, the rural economy has shown consistent growth, according to the Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI).

It will take significant N bookings at higher prices or excess natural gas supplies to relight fires at fertilizer plants – and neither seems likely until summer 2022.  

Ever since reading Robert Putnam’s seminal work on American communities, Bowling Alone, I have looked at my tiny neighborhood differently.

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 2020, total farm lending was $98.6 billion, a slight decrease from 2019.

Have you seen the shift in your area? Once-sleepy farmland prices are awake and shooting higher. 

Economic stability and growth are returning to rural America.

The pandemic may be easing, but the job market remains complicated. 

The Rural Mainstreet Index for March soared to a record-high 71.9. March represents the fifth time in the past six months the index climbed above growth neutral.

The strength and timing of the economic recovery are contingent on three uncertain factors.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says the department is looking at options for future coronavirus relief for producers.

USDA says 37% of corn acres have been planted in Michigan, ahead of the 5-year average. As far as soybeans, 35% of soybeans have been planted, which is also more than the 5-year average.

Brian Mehlhaf, who custom feeds hogs in Parkston, S. D., decided to head online to try to make a profit. He thought posting hogs for sale on Facebook would be a last resort. Now, the response is overwhelming.  

USDA says corn has not been planted in Ohio. Farmers are ready for a fresh start. This year, they hope to plant all of their seed. Betsy Jibben takes us to Swanton, Ohio for this report along the I-80 Planting Tour.

The weather will soon seem a little chilly for April, starting mid-week, and it could last for up to two weeks for Northern Indiana. Yet, farmers prep for planting in the sun before the “colder” temps arrive.

Most of the agricultural industry still waits to hear the status on disaster aid. However, sugar beet growers now have some answers to their questions.