2017 U.S. Farm Income Forecast Updated
Yesterday, the USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) released its August 2017 Farm Income Forecast. This was the first revision of the initial net farm income forecast released by ERS in February…
Federal Reserve Ag Credit Surveys- Second Quarter Farm Economy Conditions in the Midwest
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 second quarter of…
Recent USDA Updates Provide Snapshot of Farm Economy Variables
Last week, USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released three important updates that provide current insight into the state of the U.S. agricultural economy. The releases focused on land values,…
Infrastructure: Aging River Locks in the Corn Belt Prove Costly
In an update last week at The Wall Street Journal Online ("Disaster Looms on America's Waterways"), Shane Shifflett reported that, "For American producers who rely on the nation’s waterways to export…
Drought Persists in the Plains
Last week, Billings Gazette writer Tom Lutey reported that, "The life had been fading from Grant Zerbe's stunted chickpeas for the better part of a month, and now drought’s hot…
Farm Lending Variables- Updated Analysis From the Kansas City Fed
On Friday, Nathan Kauffman and Matt Clark, of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, penned an update titled, "Farm Lending Steady, but Risks Remain," which noted that, "Agricultural lending at commercial…
Drought in High Plains- “Simple Survival” a Goal for Some
Associated Press writer Blake Nicholson reported on Saturday that, "Drought in North Dakota is laying waste to fields of normally bountiful food and hay crops and searing pastures that typically would…
Federal Reserve: Observations on the Ag Economy- June ’17
On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve Board released its June 2017 Beige Book update, a summary of commentary on current economic conditions by Federal Reserve District. The report included several observations…
Dallas Fed Ag Credit Survey
Earlier this week, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas released the results of its 2017 Second Quarter Agricultural Credit Survey, which stated that, "Demand for agricultural loans overall decreased for a seventh…
Despite Some Alarming Signs, Repeat of 1980’s Farm Crisis Seen as Unlikely
In the spring edition of the Agricultural Policy Review, Iowa State University agricultural economist Wendong Zhang penned an article titled, "Four Reasons Why We Aren’t Likely to See a Replay of the…
Federal Reserve: Observations on the Ag Economy- May ’17
On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve Board released its May 2017 Beige Book update, a summary of commentary on current economic conditions by Federal Reserve District. The report included several observations…
Senate Ag Committee Examines the Farm Economy
Yesterday, the Senate Ag Committee held a hearing titled, "Examining the Farm Economy: Perspectives on Rural America," where lawmakers heard testimony from four witnesses, including the Chief Economist from USDA,…
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…