Farm Economy
The Federal Reserve has four more chances this calendar year to cut interest rates. Since July 2023, the system has kept its benchmark interest rate steady at a 23-year high of 5.25% to 5.5%.
The latest Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor, a survey of nearly 70 ag economists from across the U.S., shows the lack of exports, as well as the current crop prices, are eroding outlooks on the crops side. While strong beef demand and cheaper feed prices are creating more optimism in cattle.
Ag economists’ views on the ag economy took a dive in the first Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor of 2024; however, relatively strong balance sheets and working capital could provide a cushion for 2024.
The rural economy keeps chugging along, according to the Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index. For the ninth straight month, the RMI has stayed above growth neutral.
Trouble continues in the rural economy. Rural bankers point to the issues causing uncertainty ahead.
What will the next decade hold for your farm? What factors should you use to weigh investments or crop planning? Here are five trends and data sets to ponder from USDA’s latest Agricultural Baseline Projections.
Economists see interest-rate increases raising likelihood of recession to 44% in coming 12 months.
The latest round of agricultural credit condition surveys from the Federal Reserve banks show high farm real estate values are supporting farm finances.
This data confirms the obvious — there is plenty of income and cash in farm country and is being reflected in the record prices being paid for farmland.
Brian Mehlhaf, who custom feeds hogs in Parkston, S. D., decided to head online to try to make a profit. He thought posting hogs for sale on Facebook would be a last resort. Now, the response is overwhelming.
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Michael Conaway said he’s delaying the release of a draft version of the 2018 Farm Bill as he seeks bipartisan support.
More than 85% of grains, oilseeds sent by dry-bulk carriers.
Russia banned pork from Brazil at a time that imports from the Latin American country, the biggest foreign supplier of the meat, have been rising
Proposal avoids possible veto by Brazil’s development bank.
Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) will be costly and have no economic benefit to consumers, a report from USDA indicates.
This year is definitely one that’s going to require a plan that drives your marketing moves. In addition to structure, flexibility is key to capture a run up in prices along the way.
These free trade agreements represent nearly $2.5 billion in new agriculture exports.
Anecdotes and analysis part of the story
For 2011, a 2 to 3% increase is expected in food prices.
JPMorgan analyst Ann Duignan sent a note to investors saying U.S. agriculture faces a three-pronged crisis that will impact farm income.
The USDA Economic Research Service on Friday updated their net farm income forecast for 2019.
President’s grades are mixed on four major agricultural issues, says ag policy expert.
Appeals court clears way for large hog farm in SE Minnesota
Cargill Inc., one of the world’s biggest agriculture companies, posted a 77 percent gain in net income in the fiscal second quarter after the $1.45 billion sale of its U.S. pork business.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack says he’s confident the agricultural economy will remain strong despite an expected drop in farm income next year as corn prices lag and a pig virus reduces herds.
The hearing on Tuesday will focus on challenges facing the livestock industry.
While it may be hard to believe, the ag economy is showing signs of improvement.
Yum! Brands and McDonald’s look for buyers as Chinese tastes shift.
The full impact on the U.S. pork industry of a merger between Smithfield Foods and Chinese firm Shuanghui are not yet known.