Ag Economists Monthly Monitor

The Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor survey, administered by Farm Journal, is sent monthly to agricultural economists nationwide to gauge perspectives on important drivers of agriculture.

April 2026 Report

Analysts Fear 2027 Could Be The Toughest Year Yet For Farm Margins

The April 2026 Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor report shows shrinking equity, rising nitrogen costs and continued global upheaval signaling a reckoning for corn growers and a shift to soybeans — especially if higher biomass-based blending diesel mandates come through.

Read the Full Report →

More Insights from the Ag Economist Monthly Monitor:

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Industry

Is A Recession Imminent? Here Are The Red Flags Ag Economists Are Now Watching

While ag economists continue to be at odds when it comes to the likelihood of a recession in the U.S., some doubt the country’s biggest importers will be able to avoid a recession over the next 18 months.

October 05, 2023 09:37 AM

Tyne Morgan

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Industry

The One Factor That Could Make Or Break the Farm Economy Over the Next 12 Months

Ag economists’ view on the ag economy is starting to erode. The September Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor shows lower commodity prices, concerns about demand and a negative outlook for China’s economy.

September 27, 2023 03:13 PM

Tyne Morgan

This month's survey showed several key changes from June. Economists think USDA's current corn and soybean yield projections are still too high. The economists predict a drop in corn and soybean prices, but they say cattle and hog prices could nudge higher this year.

Industry

Ag Economists Turn More Positive Longer-Term On the Farm Economy

The July Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor showed several key changes from June including a bigger cut to corn and soybean yields, a drop in corn and soybean prices and more bullish cattle and hog prices.

July 20, 2023 03:01 PM

Tyne Morgan

According to the June Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor, the majority of ag economists surveyed say it’s “very unlikely” or “unlikely” a farm bill will be written by the time the current legislation expires on Sept. 30, 2023. And while no one expects a farm bill to be written by the end of September, there are some who think it could still be finished by Jan. 1, 2024.

Ag Policy

Most Ag Economists Think It’s Unlikely the 2023 Farm Bill Will Be Passed in 2023

The majority of ag economists don’t expect a farm bill to be written by the upcoming deadline, but a few think it could happen by the end of the year, according to the most recent Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor.

July 19, 2023 03:14 PM

Tyne Morgan

The Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor is a new survey of nearly 50 agricultural economists from the private and public sectors. Economists agree higher input costs will weigh on both livestock and row crop producers, but there are differing forecasts for production estimates, prices and crop yields.

Hog Production

High Production Costs Could Weigh on the Ag Economy Through 2024, New Survey of Economists Finds

The Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor is a new survey of nearly 50 economists. Most ag economists agree the next 12 months could produce more financial pressure for agriculture, but their views vary depending on commodity.

June 28, 2023 02:15 PM

Tyne Morgan

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2024 Could Go Down as the Worst Financial Year for Farmers Since 2007

As agriculture faces multiple challenges, USDA’s latest net farm income forecast is masking the reality for farmers. While livestock margins have improved for 2024, high input costs and below breakeven prices for row crops means margins could be the worst in nearly 20 years.

Tyne Morgan