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 …
Ag Credit Conditions Stay Strong As Risks Grow
The Kansas City Fed says agricultural credit conditions remained strong in the second quarter, but slower improvement is expected during the months ahead. Those bankers who responded to the Federal Reserve Survey of Agricultural Credit Conditions say farm income continued to increase. However, the pace of increase slowed in recent quarters, and further softening is expected going forward. Farm loan …
Two Georgia Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
(USDA/FSA/WASHINGTON, D.C./August 25, 2022) — This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming …
More Resources to Help Underserved Farmers
A new program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is designed to support projects that help underserved producers. According to a story from Gary Crawford, the program supports projects that enable producer’s access to land, capital and markets. The new $550 million USDA program also includes $250 million for the “From Learning to Leading: Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food …
USDA Forecasts More Milk Production, Lower Prices
USDA’s latest adjustments in milk production and price forecasts reflect a rise in milk production, and lower prices. Rod Bain has the story. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski discusses the latest changes in USDA’s August milk product and class price forecasts. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding To Enhance Brahman GeneticsApril 24, 2026Strong Relationship Exists Between …
Farmland Prices, Equipment Sales Decline in Monthly Index
Farmland prices and farm equipment sales declined in the August Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index. The overall index fell for the fifth straight month, for August slumped to 44.0 from 46.0 in July. The index ranges between 0 and 100, with a reading of 50.0 representing growth neutral. The region’s farmland price index for August declined to 60.0 from July’s …
How Poultry Grower Contracting and Compensation Works
USDA recently announced the public comment period had been extended for proposed rule on greater transparency in poultry contracting and the poultry tournament system. This system is unlike any other part of farming, and Rod Bain talked to a USDA official who describes how it works. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding To Enhance Brahman GeneticsApril 24, 2026Strong …
President Biden Signs Inflation Reduction Bill into Law
President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law this week. As Gary Crawford reports, the Agriculture Secretary says the law has many benefits for rural America. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding To Enhance Brahman GeneticsApril 24, 2026Strong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker …
Price Discovery is More Than Supply and Demand
Price discovery has always been an important cog in the markets, but according to a story from Mark Oppold, It’s now more than just simple supply and demand. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding To Enhance Brahman GeneticsApril 24, 2026Strong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For …
NMPF on Inflation Reduction Act
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) recently commended the inclusion of $20 billion in new funding for USDA conservation programs in the Inflation Reduction Act. They note the funding will help dairy farmers advance their proactive sustainability leadership by enhancing farm bill conservation programs with an emphasis on key dairy areas of opportunity, including feed management. NMPF Senior Vice President of Membership …