A variety of new reports will be coming out over the next few weeks. As Mark Oppold notes, one will be released today.
Modest Improvement in Farmer Sentiment, Financial Concerns Loom
The Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose modestly in February posting a reading of 111, five points higher than a month earlier. The modest rise in the barometer was attributable to producers expressing somewhat more optimism about the future as the Future Expectations Index rose seven points to a reading of 115. The Current Conditions Index was unchanged at …
USDA: Expiring Estate Tax Provisions Would Increase Taxes for Farm Estates
An expiring estate tax could be very costly for farm estates. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act significantly changed federal individual income and estate tax policies, though some were temporary. In 2018, the legislation increased the estate tax exemption amount from $5.49 million to $11.18 million. This increase expires at the …
Choppy Grain Futures Trade
Ahead of another report trading for grain futures has been choppy. Mark Oppold has more details.
Number of U.S. Farms Falls Below Two Million
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says the number of U.S. farms has fallen under two million for the first time since before the Civil War. The numbers come from the 2022 Census of Agriculture. In 2022, there were 1,900,487 farms in the country, a seven percent decline from the level in the 2017 Census. A farm is defined as …
Fuel Prices See Double-Digit Increase for Gasolione
After falling last week, the nation’s average price of gasoline climbed ten cents from a week ago, according to GasBuddy. The national average is up 22 cents from a month ago but 3.2 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average diesel price fell 2.7 cents last week and stands at $4.03 per gallon—33 cents lower than …
The Winter that Wasn’t
Winter weather conditions overall were a bit warmer than what is normal. Mark Oppold has more details.
Weather Affecting the Grain Trade
Recent weather conditions across certain areas of the country may be a factor with the grain trade this week. Mark Oppold has more details.
Catastrophic Losses Ahead After Texas Wildfires
Catastrophic losses from the Texas wildfires. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller announced his agency’s commitment to providing support to the state’s producers as they deal with the aftermath of devastating wildfires in the Texas Panhandle. The Smokehouse Creek Fire has burned through almost 1,700 square miles of land, making it the largest …
AMS Grant Programs Available
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is now accepting applications for three grant programs, each with a unique focal point in promoting, marketing, and securing products. Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Program Jenny Moffitt tells us more about the grants. Listen to Sabrina Halvorson’s program here.