Farmer Sentiment Drops as Input Costs Increase

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.

A record 52% of producers cited higher input costs as their biggest concern, while 54% said high input costs were the main thing limiting improvement in their farm’s financial situation.

About 46% of corn and soybean producers currently plant cover crops, while another 22% have done so in the past. One-third have planted cover crops for more than 10 years, and 15% use them on a majority of their acreage. Looking ahead, 37% expect soybean exports to increase over the next five years, compared with 10% who expect a decline. At the same time, only 19.9% are not concerned about the competitiveness of U.S. soybean production compared with Brazil.

Since July 2025, producers have been asked whether they believe the U.S. is headed in the “right direction” or on the “wrong track.” Sentiment has steadily weakened. The share saying the country was headed in the “right direction” averaged 71% in the second half of 2025 and 62% in the first half of 2026. That figure fell to 51%–54% in July and August before dropping below 50% in September, marking the first time fewer than half of producers expressed a positive view.

Source Ag.Purdue.edu | Read the complete report here.