DTN/Progressive Farmer Releases Confidence Index

Numbers recently released from DTN/The Progressive Farmer Agriculture Confidence Index show little optimism.

The confidence index for farmers came in at 99.4, which is just below neutral. Values above 100 reflect optimism on the scale; values lower than 100 suggest pessimism, The Progressive Farmer reported.

The index is an average of farmers’ and ranchers’ assessments of their present economic situation and their expectations of conditions 12 months from now.

Meanwhile, growers' expectations about next year's business conditions have improved to an index value of 98, up from 88 last August. It's the highest reading since August 2012.

DTN surveyed 500 farmers and ranchers across the country between Aug. 5 and Aug. 17, the magazine said. DTN conducts the same survey before planting, before harvest and after harvest each year.

DTN also surveyed 100 agribusinesses in August about their business environment. The index fell to 92, its lowest reading since the survey started in August 2010. S