Purdue Commercial AgCast

U.S. farmers retained their post-election optimistic outlook at the start of the new year as the January Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index rose 5 points above a month earlier to a reading of 141. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier share some insight into the results of the January 2025 Ag Economy Barometer survey, conducted from January 13-17, in this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast. They discuss improvements in farmer sentiment, the impact of higher corn and soybean prices, and farm financial performance. The episode also explores farmers' expectations regarding operating loans, farmland values, and investments in solar energy projects. The Ag Economy Barometer sentiment index is calculated each month from 400 U.S. agricultural producers’ responses to a telephone survey. Further details on the full report is available at https://purdue.edu/agbarometer. Slides and the transcript from the discussion can be found at https://purdue.ag/agcast182. Podcast provided by Purdue University's Center for Commercial Agriculture. For more economic information and insights on the Ag Economy Barometer, visit us at http://purdue.edu/commercialag.

Farmer sentiment drifted lower in December as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer dropped 9 points to a reading of 136. The decline was driven by producers’ weaker perspective on current conditions in U.S. agriculture and their farms, with the Index of Current Conditions falling 13 points to 100. Although the Current Conditions Index declined this month, it remains 24 points above its low in September and 5 points higher than in October. The Index of Future Expectations also fell 8 points to 153, remaining 59 points above its September low and 29 points higher than the October reading. This month’s survey was conducted from Dec. 2-6, 2024. The Ag Economy Barometer sentiment index is calculated each month from 400 U.S. agricultural producers’ responses to a telephone survey. The full report is available at https://purdue.edu/agbarometer. Podcast provided by Purdue University's Center for Commercial Agriculture. For more economic information and insights on the Ag Economy Barometer, visit us at http://purdue.edu/commercialag. Slides and the transcript from the discussion can be found at https://purdue.ag/agcast181. You can find the FULL video episode on our YouTube channel. Visit https://youtu.be/5L6ypx9J8J0 to subscribe and watch.

This special edition of the Purdue Commercial AgCast features Matt Erickson, policy specialist at Farm Credit Services of America, and Chad Fiechter, research director at Purdue's Center for Commercial Agriculture. They discuss their upcoming presentations at the Purdue Top Farmer Conference on January 10th. Erickson highlights the economic and policy issues under the new administration, including the impact of inflation, tariffs, and the farm bill. Fiechter introduces a new AI-powered app designed to help farmers easily calculate financial ratios using tax and balance sheet data.  Meet Matt and Chad and the rest of the speaker lineup for the Purdue Top Farmer Conference on January 10, 2025 at the Beck Agricultural Center in West Lafayette, Indiana. As one of the most successful and longest-running management programs designed specifically for farmers, Purdue’s Top Farmer Conference brings together some of the nation’s top experts to help you navigate the challenges of today’s agricultural economy. More details, the conference agenda and registration information are at http://purdue.ag/topfarmer. Podcast provided by Purdue University's Center for Commercial Agriculture, https://purdue.edu/commercialag/. Socials: https://twitter.com/PUCommercialAg, https://www.facebook.com/PUCommercialAg  If you are enjoying the podcast, tweet us using #AgCast.

Farmer sentiment jumped again in November, with the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer climbing 30 points to a reading of 145. This marked the highest level of farmer optimism since May 2021. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier share some insight into the results of the November 2024 Ag Economy Barometer survey, conducted Nov. 11-15, 2024, the week following the U.S. presidential election. Both of the barometer's sub-indices increased in November. The Future Expectations Index saw the largest jump, rising 37 points to 161, while the Current Conditions Index increased 18 points to 113. The November sentiment boost reflects growing optimism about a more favorable regulatory and tax environment for agriculture following the U.S. election.  The Ag Economy Barometer sentiment index is calculated each month from 400 U.S. agricultural producers’ responses to a telephone survey. The full report is available at https://purdue.edu/agbarometer. Podcast provided by Purdue University's Center for Commercial Agriculture. For more economic information and insights on the Ag Economy Barometer, visit us at http://purdue.edu/commercialag. Slides and the transcript from the discussion can be found at https://purdue.ag/agcast179. You can find the FULL video episode on our YouTube channel. Visit https://youtu.be/PlvesDCoYj8 to subscribe and watch.

Farmer sentiment saw an unexpected surge in October ahead of the upcoming U.S. election, according to the latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier share some insight into the results of the October 2024 Ag Economy Barometer survey, conducted from Oct. 14-18, 2024. The Barometer Index rose 27 points to 115, with increases in both the Current Condition Index and the Future Expectation Index. Key insights include farmers' improved optimism about 2025 despite high input costs and lower crop prices. Specific survey responses on financial conditions, investment plans, and farmland value expectations are discussed, alongside their potential influences, such as the upcoming election and policy concerns. The Ag Economy Barometer sentiment index is calculated each month from 400 U.S. agricultural producers’ responses to a telephone survey. The full report is available at https://purdue.edu/agbarometer. Podcast provided by Purdue University's Center for Commercial Agriculture. For more economic information and insights on the Ag Economy Barometer, visit us at http://purdue.edu/commercialag. Slides and the transcript from the discussion can be found at https://purdue.ag/agcast178. You can find the FULL video episode on our YouTube channel. Visit https://youtu.be/EV_0yPgTRnY to subscribe and watch.