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…
Farm Economy Variables – A Checkup
A complex mix of agricultural economic variables help form the basis of what farmers and ranchers consider essential policy priorities. As Farm Bill conversations have already begun, today's update looks…
The Importance of the Non-Farm Rural Economy to Farm Household Income
A recent study ("Income Trends for Iowa Farms and Farm Families 2003-2015") by David Peters, associate professor and extension rural sociologist with Iowa State University, summarized current trends in farm…
Federal Reserve: Observations on the Ag Economy- January ’17
Yesterday, the Federal Reserve Board released its January '17 Beige Book update, a summary of commentary on current economic conditions by Federal Reserve District. The report included several observations pertaining…
Ag Technology: Increasing Availability and Use
An update yesterday from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta indicated that, “When Joe Boddiford is in Atlanta, 200 miles from his Southeast Georgia farm, he can operate his irrigation…
Upper Midwest Land Values
Last month, in its third-quarter 2016 Agricultural Credit Conditions Survey, the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis indicated that, "Following a trend from recent quarterly surveys, land prices and cash rents…
Dallas Fed Ag Credit Survey, “Concern” Noted
Earlier this week, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas released the results of its 2016 Fourth Quarter Agricultural Credit Survey.
Lower Food Prices Benefit Consumers, Complicate Farmer’s Ledger
Los Angeles Times writer Geoffrey Mohan reported on the front page of the business section on Friday, December 30th that, "For food shoppers, 2016 was a back-to-the-future experience, with retail…
“Agricultural” Economy- “Rural” Economy
In a special section of the Christmas Day edition of the Omaha World-Herald, Barbara Soderlin reported that, "The outlook may sound bleak for Nebraska’s agriculture-dependent economy as farmers wrap up…
Iowa Farmland Values Decline, Cash Rent Issues
Donnelle Eller reported on the front page of Wednesday's Des Moines Register that, "Iowa's average farmland value declined for the third year in a row, down 5.9 percent to $7,183…