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. …

farmers union economy

Farmers Union Confronts the Farm Crisis

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

The national farm economy is deteriorating, forcing many family farmers and ranchers to make tough financial decisions that will impact their families, communities, and the entire country. In order to provide farmers with the resources and support needed to endure these tough economic conditions, National Farmers Union (NFU) and Farmers Union state divisions have compiled resources, organized listening sessions, and …

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Secretary Perdue to Attend House Ag Committee Hearing on Rural Economy

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue will take part in a House Agriculture Committee hearing next week on the rural economy. The House Agriculture Committee will hold the hearing next Wednesday, May 17th. The hearing seeks testimony on how the rural and farm economy is holding up amid a downturn in farm income and commodity prices. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway …

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Farm Banks Report Ag Lending Gains in 2016

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

Farm banks increased their agricultural lending by 5.3 percent in 2016 and held $103.4 billion in ag loans at year’s end, according to the American Bankers Association’s annual Farm Bank Performance Report. Despite overall declines in farm income, farm banks continued to maintain healthy asset quality and capital levels. More than 97 percent of farm banks were profitable in 2016, …

ag lenders survey farm profitability

Ag Lender Survey: Farm Profitability Down, Commodity Prices Top Concern

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

ABA and Farmer Mac release first biannual survey of agricultural lenders Nearly 90 percent of agricultural lenders have seen an overall decline in farm profitability in the last 12 months, according to a joint survey by the American Bankers Association and the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac; NYSE: AGM and AGM.A). The survey of more than 350 agricultural lenders …

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Ag Producer Sentiment Inches Higher in April

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

By Jim Mintert, David Widmar and Michael Langemeier Purdue University/CME Group Producer sentiment inched higher during April as the Ag Economy Barometer increased to 130. The latest result for the Purdue/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, which is based on a monthly survey of 400 U.S. agricultural producers, was slightly higher than March’s 124 reading, but still well below January’s peak …

Rural Prosperity

Ag and Rural Prosperity in America Executive Order

Dan Economy

An Executive Order by President Trump has established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity. New Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue will serve as the task force’s chairman. And in his first day on the job, Rod Bain reports Perdue took part in a Presidential farmer’s roundtable. Fourteen farmers from across the country met with President Trump and Agriculture …

rural population

Rural Economy Index Lower Again

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index remained weak with a reading below growth neutral for the 20th straight month, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and energy. Released last week, the index which ranges between 0 and 100, slipped to 44.6 from 45.3 in March. The last time …

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Ag Confidence Grows as Latest DTN/PF Survey Suggests Strong Future

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

Farmers, ranchers remain concerned on current conditions; optimistic about future Despite continued flat commodity prices, attitudes of U.S. farmers took a solid leap into positive territory, according to the most recent DTN/The Progressive Farmer (DTN/PF) Agricultural Confidence Index (ACI). The survey, which tracks farmer opinions of their current and future conditions, had an overall score of 130, a significant improvement …