Farmers are expressing concerns regarding agricultural trade, according to the latest Purdue/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. The barometer slipped to 135 in March, down five points compared to February, but unchanged from January’s results. The decline was attributed to farmers weakening perceptions of current conditions and a decline in their expectations for the future. The index surveys 400 producers each …
Deadline Looming for Federal Spending Bill
Farmers and others involved in agriculture have more than one reason to follow the progress of a government spending bill and the ever-shrinking amount of time to get that bill passed. Gary Crawford has the story. Deadline Looming for Federal Spending Bill Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding To Enhance Brahman GeneticsApril 24, 2026Strong Relationship Exists Between the …
Ag Producer Sentiment Improves; but Uncertainty about the Future of NAFTA Looms
The Purdue/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer moved higher again in February. At 140 points, producer sentiment, which is based on monthly survey of 400 agricultural producers from across the country, reached its second-highest level in more than two years of data collection. Sentiment is also higher for the second-consecutive month, providing a strong 14-point boost to the index compared to …
What’s New For Crop Insurance?
Producers are encouraged to find out what’s new for crop insurance this year before the upcoming deadlines. Stephanie Ho has the story. What’s New For Crop Insurance?-1 Rob Johansson, Acting Deputy Under-secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, explains why crop insurance is an important part of the farm safety net. What’s New For Crop Insurance?-2 Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board …
Florida Ag Policy Conference to Help Growers Deal With the Ever-Changing Global Economy
In light of the competitive and dynamic global economy, experts from UF/IFAS and other organizations will share knowledge about how to deal with pressures facing growers in Florida at the third annual Florida Agricultural Policy Conference. The conference will be held Feb. 21 at the UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka, Florida. Whether it’s trade agreements, labor, water …
Report: Vertical Farming Happening Now
Vertical farming won’t replace conventional farming, but researchers say vertical farming is happening now, and growing. Research by Stanford University shows vertical farming is growing and will likely be needed to complement traditional farms to “meet the food demands of tomorrow.” Vertical farming is the practice of producing food in vertically-stacked layers. The farms are in enclosures that provide a …
Tax Reform Will Benefit Ag Community in Many Ways, Right Away
A U.S. representative from Washington State says the end of 2017 tax reforms will benefit agriculture immediately. Central Washington representative Dan Newhouse says there will be many benefits to the ag industry, and many, right away. Tax Newhouse added, while a few details have yet to be realized, and some of the benefits will not take place immediately, he’s confident …
Index Shows Farmer Optimism Increasing
A survey of farmers shows optimism is increasing in the Midwest farm country, despite continued low prices. The latest DTN/The Progressive Farmer Agricultural Confidence Index found increasing optimism, posting an overall score of 113, up 9 points from August and 15 points higher than the “Trump Bump” survey of a year ago. The so-called “Trump Bump” represented an increase in …
Ag Economist: Farming Preparing for Financial Winter
If you’re not happy with the weather, wait a little while and things will change. That phrase works not only for the weather, but the overall ag economy. Ag economist and financial analyst Dr. Dave Kohl recently spoke at the 2017 Ag Bankers Conference in Wisconsin. He said the ag economy runs through four seasons. He also said the current …
Producers More Optimistic in October Survey
The latest Purdue/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer showed farmer optimism improving slightly in October, coming in at an index of 135. That’s actually the third-highest level since the survey began two years ago. The modest improvement during October came about because of increasing optimism for what lies ahead. The Index of Future Expectations increased from 130 to 137 in October. …