Additional Information on Disaster and Trade-Related Assistance from USDA
A news release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday provided additional details regarding disaster aid and trade-related assistance for farmers this year.
Positive Trade News with Mexico in the Midst of an Awful Spring for Planting
As a dreadful spring for planting limps into the second week of June, producers continue to assess the impacts of record Midwestern precipitation on corn and soybeans. Meanwhile, a welcome…
After an Unprecedented Spring, Planting Decisions Unfold for Corn Belt Farmers
Washington Post writers Andrew Van Dam, Laris Karklis and Tim Meko reported on Tuesday that, "Corn Belt farmers are used to being at the mercy of the weather. But they…
Farmers Face Difficult Decisions as Spring Planting Lumbers On
Farmers continue to cope with difficult planting conditions that have bogged down corn planting this spring to a record slow pace. Policy uncertainty stemming from recently announced executive branch trade assistance…
Planting Troubles Worsen, Progress Lowest on Record for Corn
Unrelenting rainfall continues to cause headaches for Corn Belt farmers. Record-breaking precipitation this year has lead to flooding and historic delays in the pace of U.S. corn planting. Soybean planting…
Weather, and Policy Uncertainty Converge on Farmers’ Planting Decisions
Ongoing wet weather in the Corn Belt, along with uncertainty associated with recent executive and legislative branch policy related actions, have converged on U.S. farmers as planting deadlines loom. With…
African Swine Fever Continues to Disrupt Markets
Recent news articles and government reports show that African Swine Fever (ASF) continues to have a disrupting impact on soybean and pork markets. Today's update highlights key points from several…
Federal Reserve Ag Credit Surveys- 2019 First Quarter Farm Economy Conditions
Last week, the Federal Reserve Banks of Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City released updates regarding farm income, farmland values and agricultural credit conditions from the first quarter of 2019. And…
House Agriculture Subcommittee Hearing: “Reviewing the State of the Farm Economy”
On Thursday, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management held a hearing titled, "Reviewing the State of the Farm Economy." Today’s updates provides a brief recap…
Kansas City Fed: Ag Banks Make Adjustments
An update last month from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City ("Ag Banks Make Adjustments as Lending Remains Elevated," by Cortney Cowley and Ty Kreitman) stated that, "According to the National…
American Bankers Association Farm Bank Performance Report
Last week, the American Bankers Association (ABA) released its annual Farm Bank Performance Report. Today's update includes several highlights from the ABA update.
Federal Reserve: Observations on the Ag Economy- April 2019
On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve Board released its April 2019 Beige Book update, a summary of commentary on current economic conditions by Federal Reserve District. The report included several observations…
Farmland Values Currently Steady Economic Concerns- But Potential for Declines Exist
Recent news items from the Corn Belt point to several economic challenges facing producers as spring planting approaches. Nonetheless, relatively steady farmland values continue to be a bright spot. But…
Disaster Aid Issues
On Tuesday, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture held a hearing regarding the Administration's FY 2020 Agriculture Department Budget Request, and heard testimony from Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. During…
FAPRI Baseline: Pressure on Farm Finances Likely to Continue
A news release yesterday from the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri indicated that, "Pressure on farm finances appears likely to continue according to…
House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture Hearing on the Rural Economy
On Tuesday, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture held a hearing titled, "The Rural Economy." Today's updates provides a brief recap of some of the issues that were discussed at…
Diminished Optimism in the Corn Belt
Flooding and gloomy price prospects for corn and soybeans are diminishing optimism in the Corn Belt as spring planting nears. Recent news articles continue to discuss the ongoing negative impacts…
Flooding Brings Additional Concerns for Struggling Ag Economy
A Reuters news article this week stated that, "Frustration is building across farm country at what feels like a never-ending season of bad news." And an update from the Federal…
Farmland Values and Debt: Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska
Today’s update looks briefly at how relatively steady farmland values are impacting farm financial variables, and then discusses recent developments relating to farmland values in Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska.
USDA Agricultural Projections to 2028- Focus on Corn, Soybeans
On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its 10-year projections for the food and agricultural sector. The report noted that, "Over the next several years, the agricultural sector will continue…