Farmer sentiment took a step backward in September. The Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer fell from 135 in August to 123, with the biggest deterioration coming from producers’ assessment of current conditions.
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According to the September survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) sank below growth neutral for the fourth time in the past six months.
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The Senate farm bill is moving toward the floor, with lawmakers still debating key SNAP provisions and California’s Proposition 12.
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The following market indicators provide a quick overview of economic and commodity trends influencing agriculture, equipment purchasing decisions, and manufacturing costs across the shortline industry.
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For the first time since June 2025, farmers in the August Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer survey expect their operations to be better off financially a year from now rather than worse off.
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The following market indicators provide a quick overview of economic and commodity trends influencing agriculture, equipment purchasing decisions, and manufacturing costs across the shortline industry.
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The following market indicators provide a quick overview of economic and commodity trends influencing agriculture, equipment purchasing decisions, and manufacturing costs across the shortline industry.
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According to the August surve,y the overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) climbed slightly above growth neutral for only the second time in the past six months.
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According to new data from AEM, U.S. sales of agricultural tractors dropped 10.9% in July 2026 compared to the year before, with combine sales declining 5.3% in the same period.
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The Senate farm bill hit a roadblock Thursday after a 10-11 committee vote failed along party lines. The bill could return for another vote when the Senate reconvenes in September.
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Learn how rising costs, lower crop prices and trade uncertainty are impacting farm profitability in the latest Iowa agricultural outlook report.
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The following market indicators provide a quick overview of economic and commodity trends influencing agriculture, equipment purchasing decisions and manufacturing costs across the shortline industry.
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Farmer sentiment rebounded in July after three consecutive months of declines as stronger corn and soybean prices improved producers’ outlook.
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Farmer optimism took another step back in June as confidence slipped on both current conditions and the outlook ahead. See what’s driving the decline—and why livestock producers remain far more optimistic than their crop-producing counterparts.
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Will the future of agriculture be powered by iron or intelligence? In this thought-provoking article, FEMA member Chris Hunsaker examines how autonomy, AI and emerging technologies are transforming equipment economics and creating new opportunities—and risks—for the industry.
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According to the June survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) expanded above growth neutral after four straight months below the threshold.
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On Monday, the USDA published the ninth Crop Progress report of the 2026 growing season. Take a look at the latest progress and condition numbers.
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Farmer sentiment slipped again in May as concerns about profitability continued to build. A record 51% of producers identified high input costs as their top concern, while nearly two-thirds expect lower net farm income in 2026.
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According to the May survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) dropped below growth neutral for the fourth straight month.
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China recently committed to increasing purchases of U.S. agricultural products, a move that is generating cautious optimism across the farm economy and could eventually influence equipment purchasing trends as well.
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China will purchase at least $17 billion in U.S. agricultural products annually through 2028, in addition to soybean commitments already agreed to, the White House said.
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The USDA published the seventh Crop Progress report of the 2026 growing season. Here’s a look at the latest progress and condition numbers.
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The U.S. House of Representatives voted Wednesday afternoon to approve H.R. 1346, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which would allow year-round sales of E15 gas nationwide.
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On Monday, the USDA published the fifth Crop Progress report of the 2026 growing season. Take a look at the latest progress and condition numbers.
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Farmer sentiment fell in April as concerns about rising input costs, tighter availability and global instability continued to weigh on the agricultural outlook.
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The Iowa House of Representatives passed a “right-to-repair” bill intended to make it easier for farmers to repair their own equipment.
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The U.S. House narrowly passed a five-year farm bill (224–200) aimed at updating agriculture and nutrition policy after multiple short-term extensions of the 2018 bill.
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Rural economic conditions remain under pressure as growth slows, equipment sales lag, and more than half of bankers report recessionary conditions.
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According to new data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), U.S. sales of combines rose 68% in January 2026 compared to the year before. Total sales of Ag tractors declined 4.7% during the same period.
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he overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) dropped below growth neutral 50.0 for February, according to the latest monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy.
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Republicans on the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture have released text for a new Farm Bill, titled the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026, calling it “modern policies for modern challenges.”
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The president and CEO of the Agricultural Retailers Association says tariff policy is continuing to add uncertainty to the ag input sector, with cost pressures beginning to work their way toward the farm gate.
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Trump voiced support for a legislative proposal to allow year-round sales of higher-ethanol E15 gasoline during a rally near Des Moines, IA, last week, attended by farmers and biofuel supporters.
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The overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) climbed above growth neutral 50.0 for January, according to the latest monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy.
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The Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index climbed to 139 in November, 10 points higher than in October and the highest barometer reading since June of this year.
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FEMA continues its commitment to the next generation of ag leaders through the Robert K. Schnell Memorial Scholarship, supporting students like Dylan McEwen as they prepare to shape the future of agriculture.
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Farmer sentiment improved modestly in October, as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose three points to a reading of 129. The boost came primarily from stronger confidence among livestock producers, who continue to benefit from record-high profitability in the beef sector.
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The latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer shows farmers continue to be concerned about the ag economy.
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For the seventh time in 2025, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) sank below growth neutral 50.0, according to the monthly survey bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region.
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The 2025 U.S. corn and soybean crops face late-season challenges from drought and disease, raising concerns about lower yields.
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U.S. dairy exports surged in 2025, driven by strong global demand for cheese and butterfat, competitive pricing, and improved milk production.
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The USDA stunned markets with its August WASDE report, projecting a record U.S. corn yield of 188.8 bushels per acre—up 7.8 bu. from July and 9.5 bu. from 2024.
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A survey of 400 farmers and ranchers from across the country shows rising concern about the current state of the ag economy. However, producers remain optimistic President Trump’s tariff policy will benefit U.S. agriculture.
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Farmer sentiment weakened in June following two months of improvement, as tracked by the Purdue University -CME Group Ag Economy Barometer.
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In blueberry fields and cranberry bogs throughout South Jersey, diseases and invasive weeds threaten farmers’ crops and their livelihoods. Hieu Nguyen, Ph.D., professor of mathematics in the College of Science & Mathematics, is using smart drones and artificial intelligence (AI) to help farmers monitor their fields for these and other threats.
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The latest USDA Crop Progress report shows mostly steady field conditions with some week-over-week declines, as summer heat begins to influence regional development.
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President Trump said he wants to shield reputable farmers from the impact of immigration crackdowns, shortly after reinstating workplace raids on farms. He suggested allowing these farmers to take responsibility for workers to avoid hurting agriculture or non-criminal migrants.
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The overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) climbed above the 50.0 growth neutral reading in June, marking its highest level since July 2023, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy.
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Farmer sentiment improved for the second consecutive month in May, reaching its highest level since May 2021. The sentiment boost was driven by a more optimistic outlook on U.S. agricultural exports and a less negative view of how tariffs will impact farm income in 2025.
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A policy advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago says land values in the Seventh District were up slightly from a year ago in the first quarter of 2025.
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