farm profits

Farm Profits Expected to Stabilize

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

Following years of decline, net farm income in 2017 for the U.S. farm sector as a whole is forecast to be relatively unchanged at $63.2 billion in inflation-adjusted terms. The figure is up about one half billion dollars, or .8 percent. Meanwhile, inflation-adjusted U.S. net cash farm income is forecast to rise almost $2.0 billion, 2.1 percent, to $96.9 billion. …

tax

Perdue Comments on House Passage of Tax Cuts and Reforms

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue hailed the House of Representatives’ passage of historic tax cuts and reforms as an important step toward providing much-needed relief to Americans, creating jobs, and boosting the economy. Perdue issued the following statement: “We haven’t had an overhaul of the burdensome federal tax code since the mid-1980s and it is well past time to …

rural

Rural Mainstreet Index Fears Farm Foreclosure Threat to Banks

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index is still below growth-neutral, which it has been for some time. The index jumped six points from September to October, but low crop prices are still inhibiting growth. Ernie Goss, the author of the index, says, “As a result of low commodity prices and weak farm income, 9.5 percent of bank CEOs expect farm …

uncertainty

Report Shows Uncertainty Harming Farmers

Dan Industry News Release

Trade and regulatory uncertainty is hampering U.S. Farmers. The Global Harvest Initiative released its 2017 GAP reports or Global Productivity Report. The report shows that for the fourth straight year, global agricultural productivity growth is not accelerating fast enough to sustainably feed the world in 2050. Meanwhile, the report says uncertainty about trade opportunities and regulations complicates planning for U.S. …

perdue task force meeting rural america

Secretary Perdue Hosts Inaugural Rural Prosperity Task Force Meeting

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

Task Force showcases broad interagency support for promoting economic growth and spurring innovation in rural America U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue hosted the inaugural meeting of the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity. Joined by Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson, Secretary of Energy Rick Perry, Director of the White House Office of Management and …

Tax Reform Central to Improving Economy

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

Farmers and ranchers need the economic benefits that will follow from tax reform, the American Farm Bureau Federation told Congress in testimony submitted to the House Ways and Means Committee. Weather, high debt-service, a lack of liquidity and the difficulties of passing on land from one generation to the next all make taxation an important issue for farmers and ranchers. …

Rural Mainstreet Index Improving

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

Rural Mainstreet Climbs to Highest Level Since September 2015: But Only 15 Percent Report Expanding Economy February Survey Results at a Glance: * The overall index, while remaining below growth neutral, rose to its highest level since September 2015. * More than one-third of bank CEOs reported their local economy remains in an economic downturn.  Only 14.9 percent of bankers indicated their local …