tighter

Farm Debt Levels Equaling 1980s Farm Crisis

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

The amount of farm debt has risen rapidly to $409 billion. That’s up from $385 billion in 2018. U.S. Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue says demand for loans remains “historically high.” A Reuters article says the strain on the American farm belt is becoming more and more comparable to the agricultural crisis of three decades ago. The strain is being caused …

overreactions

Farm Debt Likely to Reach All-Time High in 2017

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

Low commodity prices have made things tough by bringing down land values, tightening balance sheets, and increasing the stress level of America’s producers. Unfortunately, that means farmers are continuing to take on more debt. The amount of outstanding farm debt is likely to reach an all-time high this year. Brent Gloy of Agricultural Economic Insights says if the debt level …