Farmers Frustrated with High Input Costs

Dan Economy, Peanuts

During a recent event, a Congressman who serves on the House Agriculture Committee, said farmers he hears from are frustrated with high input costs. Tyron Spearman has the story. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Targeted Research for Florida Cattle IndustryFebruary 20, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record …

August Ag Economy Barometer Increases

Dan Economy

Farmer sentiment improved in August as the Purdue-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose 14 points above its July reading to 117. Both the Index of Current Conditions and the Index of Future Expectations increased last month. Producers were less worried about their farm’s financial situation than in July, although they remain concerned about a possible cost-price squeeze. When asked about …

USDA Program Feeds Children During Summer Months

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, Education, This Land of Ours

States and territories issue $12.5 billion in USDA’s Summer Child Food Benefits program. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) partnered with 32 states and territories to provide summer food buying benefits to families with children. The states and territories provide an estimated $12.5 billion in temporary nutrition benefits to approximately 32 million children. …

USDA Says Farm Profits to Reach Near-Record High in 2022

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, USDA-ERS

USDA’s Economic Research Service forecasts inflation-adjusted U.S. net cash farm income to increase by $13.5 billion or 8.7 percent from 2021. Net cash farm income is gross cash income minus cash expenses and will reach $168.5 billion in 2022, the highest level since 2012. In comparison, net farm income is forecast to drop by almost $1 billion from 2021 to …

Ample Turkey Supplies this Thanksgiving, but at Higher Prices

Dan Economy, Poultry

Now that the Labor Day holiday weekend is winding down, some eyes are already set on the next big long holiday weekend, Thanksgiving. But what will the retail turkey situation look like this year? Gary Crawford has a story answering that very question. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Targeted Research for Florida Cattle IndustryFebruary 20, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board …

Climate Smart Commodities and Rural Economies

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, Field Crops

During his visit to the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa last week, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack explained how he sees climate smart commodities and practices as key to improving rural economies. Rod Bain has the story. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Targeted Research for Florida Cattle IndustryFebruary 20, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle …

USDA Updates Crop Insurance Plans to Broaden Access

Dan Crop Insurance, Economy

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is improving two of its most comprehensive risk management safety net programs. USDA announced the improvements for the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection, and Micro Farm, making them more accessible to farmers. The improvements include doubling the maximum insurable revenue under Whole-Farm Revenue Protection, now $17 million, more than tripling the size of farm operations eligible for …

‘Tool Time’ Tax Holiday in Florida Starts Saturday

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, Florida

If you have a few projects around the farm in you need to get started on but keep putting them off, then now’s the time to get serious about them. Florida’s first “tool time” sales-tax holiday on tools and other home-repair and construction items will kick off this weekend. According to the News Service of Florida (NSF), the seven-day holiday …

Interest Expense Ratio for Agriculture Stays Even with 20-year Average

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, USDA-ERS

USDA’s Economic Research Service reports the interest expense ratio of farms was 0.04 in 2020, remaining in line with the long-term trend and initial forecasts, despite the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic reduced demand for agricultural commodities. The interest expense ratio is calculated by dividing interest expenses by the sum of the value of production and Government payments for a given …