sales

Sales of Agricultural Tractors and Combines Fall in October

Dan Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), Economy

Sales of agricultural tractors decreased last month compared to the year before. New numbers from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) indicate a 14.2% drop in tractor sales, while combine sales also fell, dropping 34.6% compared to 2023.  “October’s sales of ag tractors and combines follow a September that also showed a slowdown in sales,” said AEM Senior Vice President Curt Blades. “These …

Some Pent-up Purchasing Expected

Dan Economy

Many folks were holding off on making any major purchases until after the Presidential election. With that now over, Mark Oppold notes we may start seeing some pent-up purchasing taking place.  Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024

pre-election

Pre-Election Farmer Sentiment Bounces Back

Dan Economy

October (.pdf) provided a surprising pre-election bounce in farmer sentiment as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer climbed to 115, 27 points above the September index. The biggest driver of the sentiment improvement was an increase in producers’ confidence in the future. The Future Expectations Index jumped 30 points to 124. The Current Conditions Index also rose in October …

crop futures

Crop Futures Looking for Solid Support

Dan Commodities, Corn, Cotton, Soybeans, Wheat

Many of the crop futures continue to look for solid support. Mark Oppold has an update on various issues affecting the trade.  Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024

financial

New Legislation Aims to Support Farmers’ Financial Needs for 2024

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, FARM Act, Funding, Legislative

The Farm Assistance and Revenue Mitigation (FARM) Act, introduced last month and supported by over 40 members of Congress, seeks to address immediate financial needs in the farming community. Endorsed by major agricultural groups like the National Sorghum Producers, the legislation proposes economic assistance targeted for the 2024 crop year. Under the FARM Act, payment calculations would be based on …

loans

Farm Loans Soar as Ag Economy Deteriorates

Dan Economy

Farmers are taking out loans at a rate and scale not seen in years as weakened crop prices weigh on the agricultural sector, according to a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.  The volume of new operating loans increased at its fastest pace since 2017, the report said, with commercial banks issuing 40% more of these loans …

local food

USDA Awards $33.5 Million to Boost Local Food Systems Across 43 States

Dan Economy

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded over $33.5 million to strengthen local food systems and expand the availability of locally grown products across the United States. This funding, provided through the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), supports 113 projects in 43 states and territories through three grant programs: the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP), the Local Food Promotion …

Peanut

Concerns Over Lower Peanut Usage Numbers

Dan Economy, Peanuts

Last week, Tyron Spearman ran through some of the new numbers in the latest Peanut Stocks and Processing Report. Today, he looks more at the peanut usage numbers. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024

poultry

Poultry Industry’s Economic Impact Revealed in New Study

Dan Economy, Eggs, National Chicken Council (NCC), Poultry

According to an updated economic impact study, the U.S. poultry industry continues to play a vital role in the nation’s economy. Rusty Halvorson has more details. The U.S. poultry industry continues to play a vital role in the nation’s economy, according to an updated economic impact study. released by key industry groups, including the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) …