Purdue Commercial AgCast

U.S. farmers’ perspective on the future improved in March helping to push the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer up 3 points from February to a reading of 114. The Index of Current Conditions at 101 was 2 points below a month earlier while the Index of Future Expectations reached 120, 5 points higher than in February. The split between the current and future indices was driven primarily by farmers’ perception that the...

The latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer reveals a modest increase in farmer sentiment compared to the previous month, though concerns remain regarding farm financial performance in the year ahead. The barometer rose in February posting a reading of 111, 5 points higher than a month earlier. The modest rise in the barometer was attributable to producers expressing somewhat more optimism about the future as the Fu...

This episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast is a great opportunity for producers to review their crop insurance choices for the upcoming season. Purdue University Center for Commercial Agriculture’s ag economists Michael Langemeier and James Mintert and Brad Lubben, policy specialist and extension associate professor from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, walk participants through key considerations when making their 2024 insura...

Brad Lubben, policy specialist and extension associate professor from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, joins Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier for a discussion on key 2024 farm program details. They highlight differences between the PLC and ARC programs for the 2024 crop year and how benefits from the two programs are likely to differ. After listening to the podcast you’ll be ready to make your 2024 farm ...

Join host Brady Brewer for an episode with Purdue ag economist Michael Langemeier as they discuss USDA's latest farm income forecast for February 2024. Net farm income is expected to decline by 25% but remain near the long-run average. Gain insight into various crop and livestock sectors as they discuss enterprise revenues, farm household income, production expenses, breakeven prices for an Indiana case farm, and the U.S. farm sect...

Farmer sentiment took a downturn at the start of 2024 as the January Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index fell to a reading of 106, 8 points below a month earlier. Compared to year-end, producers had a more negative outlook of their farms’ current situation along with a weakened outlook for the future as the Current Conditions Index fell 9 points and the Future Expectations Index dropped 7 points, both compared to...

Host Brady Brewer recaps Michael Langemeier and Margaret Lippsmeyer's presentation on farm agility and resilience at the 2024 Top Farmer Conference. The discussion revolves around the importance of strategic risk management and the factors that contribute to a farm's resilience. Dr. Langemeier and Margaret highlight the relationships between farm growth, producer sentiment, risk preference, managerial ability, farm resilience, and ...

Host Brady Brewer discussed the "boom" in renewable diesel and its expected impact on the soybean market with Dr. Scott Irwin, a professor of agricultural economics at the University of Illinois. In addition to discussing the renewable diesel market, Dr. Irwin also provides insight into the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) market and potential impacts on U.S. agriculture. Tune in to hear Brady and Scott discuss how the future might ...

Host Brady Brewer provides a recap of Dr. Chad Hart's presentation on the 2024 agricultural crop market outlook at the Purdue Top Farmer Conference. Dr. Hart, a professor and crop marketing specialist at Iowa State University, explores the shift to “normalcy” for crop prices and farm incomes in 2024. This episode also provides insights into the challenges and opportunities ahead ranging from the impact of possible drought on USDA p...

Join host Brady Brewer as he recaps Dr. Brad Lubben’s presentation on the 2024 ag policy outlook at the Purdue Top Farmer Conference. Dr. Lubben, an extension ag policy specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, navigates the complexities of the current farm bill landscape, detailing challenges faced in 2023 and how we ultimately ended up with a one-year extension of the current legislation. This episode also provides insigh...

U.S. farmers’ sentiment changed very little in December compared to the preceding month. The Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer recorded a reading of 114, just one point lower than a month earlier. Both sub-indices of the barometer, the Index of Current Conditions and the Index of Future Expectations, also fell one point below their respective November readings. Looking ahead to 2024, U.S. farmers inflation expectatio...

Curious about the outlook for farm incomes in the coming year? Join host Brady Brewer in this episode with Purdue ag economist Michael Langemeier as they discuss farm income projections outlined in USDA's December Farm Income Forecast. Michael shares producer perspectives from the Ag Economy Barometer and takes a closer look on an Indiana case farm.

Podcast provided by Purdue University's Center for Commercial Agriculture. Slides a...

Agricultural producers’ sentiment increased for the second consecutive month, as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer index rose 5 points to a reading of 115, a 12% increase compared to the previous year. The sentiment growth is largely attributed to farmers’ improved perceptions of their farms’ financial conditions and prospects. This month’s Ag Economy Barometer survey was conducted from November 13-17, 2023.

The ...

There was a slight uptick in agricultural producers’ sentiment in October, as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer index rose 4 points to a reading of 110. The modest improvement in farmer sentiment resulted from farmers’ improved perspective on current conditions on their farms as well as their expectations for the future. This month’s Ag Economy Barometer survey was conducted from October 16-20, 2023.

The Ag Econo...

Agricultural producers’ sentiment declined for the second month in a row during September as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer fell 9 points to a reading of 106. Weakening prices for major crops and ongoing concerns about high production costs and interest rates weighed on producers’ minds this month. This month’s Ag Economy Barometer survey was conducted from September 11-15, 2023.

The Ag Economy Barometer senti...

Join us in this episode as we dive into the latest USDA farm income forecast released in August 2023. Discover the factors behind a notable 23% drop in net farm income and gain insights into the impact on various commodities, from corn and soybeans to wheat, and even cow-calf operations. Stay informed about how the impact of rising inflation and increased farm input prices are influencing breakevens and farmland values by tuning in...

Producer sentiment was notably lower in August, as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer index dipped 8 points to a reading of 115. This month’s decline was fueled by producers’ weaker perception of current conditions both on their farms and in U.S. agriculture. The Current Conditions Index fell 13 points to a reading of 108. The Future Expectations Index also declined, down 5 points in August to a reading of 119. Th...

Discover how interest rates impact farming decisions, machinery choices, and the value of farmland. In this ag credit update podcast, Purdue ag economists Brady Brewer and Michael Langemeier discuss recent inflation trends, interest rate trajectories, loan markets and the ripple effects at the farm. Projections from producers on the latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer don't line up with policy makers at the Fede...

Purdue ag economists Todd Kuethe, James Mintert and Michael Langemeier discuss cash rental rates for Indiana farmland in this, the second of two episodes discussing the 2023 Purdue Farmland Values and Cash Rents Survey results. Each June, the department of agricultural economics surveys knowledgeable professionals regarding Indiana's farmland and cash rental market. The 2023 survey results confirm that, statewide, average cash rent...