sentiment

Farmer Sentiment Rises in February

Dan Economy

The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer climbed to 152 in February, 11 points higher than January. An improvement in the current situation on U.S. farms drove the stronger sentiment among producers. The Current Conditions Index hit 137, 28 points higher than January. The Future Expectations Index rose only three points in February to 159.  This month’s Current Conditions Index …

decline

Decline in Consumer Sentiment

Dan Economy

Recent polls are showing a decline in consumer sentiment. And as Mark Oppold reports, that means a pullback in overall spending. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Acts As Catalyst For Timely ResearchSeptember 26, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities For Research Not Found ElsewhereSeptember 19, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Funds Research to Sustain Beef Industry and EnvironmentSeptember 11, 2025

peanut

Value of 2024 Peanut Crop

Dan Economy, Peanuts

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has put out their final numbers concerning the value of the 2024 peanut crop. Tyron Spearman runs through the new numbers. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Acts As Catalyst For Timely ResearchSeptember 26, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities For Research Not Found ElsewhereSeptember 19, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Funds Research to Sustain Beef Industry …

corn

Keeping an Eye on the Corn Trade

Dan Cattle, Commodities, Corn, Economy, Marketing

Many traders are keeping an eye on what is happening with corn futures.  Mark Oppold has a look at what is currently affecting that commodity. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Acts As Catalyst For Timely ResearchSeptember 26, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities For Research Not Found ElsewhereSeptember 19, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Funds Research to Sustain Beef Industry and EnvironmentSeptember …

Rural Mainstreet Index

Rural Mainstreet Index Plunges to New Low Amid Economic Uncertainty

Dan Agri-Business, Economy

The Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) continued its downward trend in February, marking the 17th decline in the past 18 months. The index, which measures the economic health of rural communities across a ten-state region dependent on agriculture and energy, fell to 38.0, down from 42.3 in January. A reading below 50 indicates economic contraction. Economic uncertainty remains a key concern, …

corn

Concerns about Corn Acreage Predictions

Dan Commodities, Corn, Economy

There are some concerns about the predictions of how many acres of corn will be planted this year. Mark Oppold has more details. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Acts As Catalyst For Timely ResearchSeptember 26, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities For Research Not Found ElsewhereSeptember 19, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Funds Research to Sustain Beef Industry and EnvironmentSeptember 11, 2025

crop insurance

Crop Insurance Deadlines Nearing

Dan Crop Insurance, Economy

The USDA reminds agricultural producers that the final dates to apply for or make changes to their existing crop insurance coverage is approaching for spring planted crops. While one closing date has already passed, the remaining major closing dates are March 15 and April 15. The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) lists the closing dates in the Actuarial Information Brower under the …

agricultural commodities

Tracking Agricultural Commodities after Two Months

Dan Biofuels/Energy, Cattle, Commodities, Corn, Economy, Field Crops, Soybeans, Specialty Crops, Wheat

With two months of 2025 now past us, Mark Oppold takes time to review how certain agricultural commodities have performed thus far this year. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Acts As Catalyst For Timely ResearchSeptember 26, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities For Research Not Found ElsewhereSeptember 19, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Funds Research to Sustain Beef Industry and EnvironmentSeptember 11, …

public comment period

Senators Demand Answers from USDA Over Mass Layoffs

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, Legislative

Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, is leading all committee Democrats in demanding transparency from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding its recent widespread layoffs. The Senators have requested detailed data on the number of terminated employees, broken down by state, agency, job position, and veteran status—information the administration has yet …

cattle sale

Active Sales during Recent Cattle Sale

Dan Cattle, Commodities, Economy, Marketing

Active sales were seen during a recent cattle sale. Mark Oppold runs through some of the final results. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Acts As Catalyst For Timely ResearchSeptember 26, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities For Research Not Found ElsewhereSeptember 19, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Funds Research to Sustain Beef Industry and EnvironmentSeptember 11, 2025