Farm real estate values remain near record levels set in 2015, despite a significant drop in farm income and a weak farm economy. The Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service …
Ag Economy Index Sharply Lower on Farm Income Concerns
Concerns over weak farm income forced a sharp decline in the monthly Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. The index dropped to a reading of 114, 15 points below its …
Agri View: Mixed Commodity Prices
Everett Griner talks about seasonal changes having an impact on commodity prices in today’s Agri View. Mixed Commodity Prices You know, it’s not just the tariff situation that has an …
USDA Details Trade Damage Estimate Calculations
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue released a detailed accounting of how the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) calculated estimated damage from trade disruptions. USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist …
2019 Farmland Rental Rates Expected Steady with 2018
Farmland rental rates are not expected to change much in 2019. A new forecast by Farmers National Company predicts cash rental rates for 2019 to stay the same as 2018, …
August Rural Mainstreet Index Rises, Ag Worries Remain
The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index climbed above growth neutral in August for a seventh straight month. The monthly survey of bank CEO’s in ten Midwestern states climbed to 54.8 …
Tariffs Impacting Ag Equipment Manufactures, Dealers
A survey by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers finds steel and aluminum tariffs are harming the industry. The survey, primarily focused on the current new equipment inventory levels, shows both …
USDA to Implement Regulatory Reforms to Increase Access to Capital in Rural Areas
Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced that USDA is hosting listening sessions to solicit feedback on a plan to increase access to capital in rural areas …
Ag Economy Barometer improves in August
The Ag Economy Barometer rebounded in August to a reading of 129 after falling to 117 in July. However, producer sentiment remains well below its late spring readings of 141 …
USDA Launches Trade Mitigation Programs
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue launched the trade mitigation package aimed at assisting farmers suffering from damage due to unjustified trade retaliation by foreign nations. Producers of certain commodities …
Senator Sanders Wants Big Companies to Pay for SNAP
A bill by Senator Bernie Sanders seeks to make big companies pay up for SNAP benefits their employees receive. Sanders, of Vermont, plans to introduce the bill next week on …
Dairy Farms Turning to GoFundMe to Stay in Business
The wife of a Wisconsin dairy farmer started a GoFundMe page to help their family farm survive. With a goal of $35,000, the story made national headlines over the weekend, …
USDA Payments Expected After Labor Day
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) expects to send payments to farmers after the Labor Day holiday as part of a trade relief package. The $12 billion package is intended for …
USDA Expected to Announce Trade Relief Package Friday
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expected to release further details of its trade relief package Friday. The aid package previously announced by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue will provide $12 …