Ag Economy: Farmers “Battle for Profits”
Donnelle Eller reported on the front page of Sunday's Des Moines Register that, "This year could be pivotal for many Iowa farmers, battling to turn a profit as they plant…
Secretary Perdue Provides Outlook and Overview at House Ag Committee Hearing
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue testified before the House Agriculture Committee yesterday at a hearing on the “State of the Rural Economy.” Today's update includes an overview of the testimony…
Wall Street Journal- Special Section on Agricultural Issues
Yesterday's Wall Street Journal included a special section on agricultural issues. The section included several articles that covered a variety of different topics ranging from urban farming, to creative new…
Federal Reserve Ag Surveys Provide Updated Look at the U.S. Farm Economy
On Thursday, the Federal Reserve Banks of Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City each released updates regarding farm income, farmland values and agricultural credit conditions from the first quarter of…
Secretary Perdue Visits Iowa- Discusses Trade, RFS
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue visited an Iowa farm on Friday and took questions from producers. In his remarks, Secretary Perdue addressed a number of issues; today's update focuses more…
Prices Concern Farmers and Ag Lenders; Sec. Perdue Comments on NAFTA; Spring Weather Causes Havoc
Today's update looks briefly at the U.S. agricultural economy from a variety of perspectives. A recent news report has shown that some Corn Belt producers may be losing money from…
Low Farm Prices Impacting Ag Economy– Will Executive Branch Trade Policy Help?
A recent article from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis discussed the downward economic trajectory that has impacted the U.S. farm economy in recent years. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue,…
U.S. Ag Economy: Kansas City Fed Reports; and, Ag Export Competitiveness
The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City released two interesting reports this month that provide timely insights into the U.S. agricultural economy. The first report took a closer look at…
Federal Reserve: Observations on the Ag Economy- April ’17
On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve Board released its April 2017 Beige Book update, a summary of commentary on current economic conditions by Federal Reserve District. The report included several observations…
Farmland Values, Farm Income, and Ag Trade Issues with China
Today’s update summarizes recent news items relating to important components of the U.S. farm economy including farmland values, farm income and trade issues with China.
Farmland Values, Agricultural Prices, and Farm Income
Today's update looks at a variety of information sources that highlight recent developments relating to the U.S. farm economy, including variables associated with farmland values, agricultural prices, and farm income.
Senate Ag Committee Confirmation Hearing: USDA Nominee Sonny Perdue
Yesterday, the Senate Ag Committee held a hearing to consider the nomination of Sonny Perdue to be Secretary of Agriculture. Issues associated with the Trump Administration's proposed USDA budget cuts,…
FAPRI Baseline: Financial Pressure on Farms Likely to Continue
A news release last week from the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri indicated that, "The latest analysis of national and global agricultural trends…
Federal Reserve: Observations on the Ag Economy- February ’17
Last week, the Federal Reserve Board released its February ’17 Beige Book update, a summary of commentary on current economic conditions by Federal Reserve District. The report included several observations…
USDA Report Examines Farm Household Income Volatility
Last week, USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) released a report titled, "Farm Household Income Volatility: An Analysis Using Panel Data From a National Survey." The report noted that, "There has…
The Outlook for U.S. Agriculture From USDA’s Chief Economist
Speaking yesterday at USDA's Agricultural Outlook Forum in Arlington, Virginia, USDA Chief Economist Robert C. Johansson provided a broad outlook for U.S. agriculture. Today's update provides an overview of key…
USDA Releases Agricultural Projections, Focus on Corn and Soybeans
On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its 10-year projections for the food and agriculture sector. The report noted that, "Over the next several years, the agricultural sector continues…
U.S. Corn Exports to Mexico: Will Policy Rhetoric Turn into Concrete Action?
On Monday, February 13th, Patrick Gillespie reported at CNN Money Online that, "Mexico is one of the top buyers of American corn in the world today. And Mexican senator Armando…
Fed Reports Show Declining Farmland Values, Tighter Credit Conditions
On Thursday, the Federal Reserve Banks of Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City each released updates regarding farmland values and agricultural credit conditions from the fourth quarter of last year.…
U.S. Farm Income Forecast Released
Jesse Newman reported yesterday at The Wall Street Journal Online that, "U.S. farm incomes will drop 8.7% in 2017, a fourth consecutive year of declines amid a deep slump in…