weaker

Current Farm Downturn Not Likely to Reach 1980’s Crisis

Dan Economy

A report by a Farm Credit Administration economist told the Administration’s board members last week that the current downturn in the farm economy is not likely to reach a 1980s-style crisis. Farm Credit chief economist Stephen Gabriel said the “likelihood of this is very low,” adding that a confluence of adverse factors led to the crisis that occurred in the …

Monthly Farm Economy Survey Holds Steady

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

A monthly survey on farmers thoughts regarding the farm economy held steady last month. The latest reading of the Purdue/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, which is based on a monthly survey of 400 agricultural producers from across the country, was 130. The producer sentiment index has hovered near 130 for five of the last six months and remains considerably stronger …

weaker

Experts Expect Down Farm Economy to Continue

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

A financial expert forecasted to lawmakers Thursday the current agriculture economic conditions will continue. During a Senate Agriculture Committee on the rural economy, Nathan Kauffman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City informed the committee that a farm crisis does not appear imminent, but there are still risks that could lead to more widespread challenges in the coming years. …

roberts

Senate Ag to Hold Farm Economy Hearing

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

The Senate Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing on the farm economy conditions Thursday, May 25th. Announced by leadership of the committee, Senators Pat Roberts, and Debbie Stabenow, the hearing is titled “Examining the Farm Economy: Perspectives on Rural America.” The hearing is recognized as the start of the Senate Agriculture Committee farm bill hearings. It follows two “boots on …

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 …

Rural Mainstreet Index Improving

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

Rural Mainstreet Climbs to Highest Level Since September 2015: But Only 15 Percent Report Expanding Economy February Survey Results at a Glance: * The overall index, while remaining below growth neutral, rose to its highest level since September 2015. * More than one-third of bank CEOs reported their local economy remains in an economic downturn.  Only 14.9 percent of bankers indicated their local …

Ag Producer Sentiment Improves in December

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

Producer sentiments took a post-election jump in the month of December. The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer December reading of 132 marked the second straight monthly increase. That’s also the highest level since the survey began in October of 2015. The December mark was 16 points above the November mark and 40 points higher than October. Producers seemed optimistic …