Corn Basis Continues to Improve as Soybean Basis Varies

June 13, 2025

As July futures near expiration, corn basis across the Eastern Corn Belt continues to strengthen. In Central Ohio, the basis has improved by $0.12/bu over the past three weeks to $0.26/bu, reaching a ten-year high for the second week of June.

Read More

Prospects for Swine Feed Costs in the Second Half of 2025

June 13, 2025

This article discussed recent trends in feed costs for farrow-to-finish and swine finishing enterprises, and provided projections for the second half of 2025. Average feed costs in 2024 were substantially lower than feed costs in 2022 and 2023. Moreover, a further reduction in feed costs is expected for the upcoming year.

Read More

Decomposition of Statement of Cash Flows

June 5, 2025

Cash flow trends from 2007 to 2024 show how crop farms rely on operating income and borrowed funds to drive growth through asset purchases. As income levels shift, so do investment decisions—offering key insights for managing through expected challenges in 2025.

Read More

Farmer Sentiment Reaches a Four-Year High in May

June 3, 2025

Farmer sentiment reached a four-year high in May. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier share their insight into the results of the May 2025 Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer survey, conducted from May 12-16, in this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast. The barometer rose 10 points to 158, the highest since May 2021, driven by optimism about future and current farm conditions.

Read More

Cost Efficiency Comparisons of U.S. and Canadian Farms

May 27, 2025

The objective of this paper is to measure the cost efficiency of corn and soybean production for six typical farms in North America (three in Canada and three in the United States). All these farms produce both corn and soybeans. Cost efficiency is measured using data envelope analysis. In addition to comparing efficiency indices, cost shares of the most efficient farm is compared to cost shares for the other five farms.

Read More

Net Return Comparisons between Tillage Systems

May 23, 2025

Using the FINBIN database, this article compares the net return per acre between no-till systems and reduced tillage systems for corn and soybeans from 2014 to 2023. It is important to keep in mind that no-till systems typically exhibit lower erosion levels and GHG emissions. There is a tradeoff between net return per acre and environmental concerns that need to be considered when comparing these two production systems.

Read More

Farmland Investments: A Conversation with Kyle Maple and Pete Drost

May 23, 2025

Kyle Maple and Pete Drost, professionals in the farmland investment space join hosts Todd Kuethe and Chad Fiechter in this episode of Purdue Commercial AgCast. Maple and Drost share their backgrounds, roles within US Agriculture, and day-to-day tasks in farmland asset management.

Read More

Decomposition of Changes in Net Worth

May 22, 2025

There are three major changes that contribute to an increase or decrease in net worth: change in retained earnings, change in contributed capital, and change in market valuation. Tracking changes in net worth over time is one of the most important tasks of those in charge of analyzing a farm’s financial position and performance.

Read More

Corn and Soybean Basis Go Positive as Strengthening Continues

May 16, 2025

The corn and soybean basis across the Eastern Corn Belt have strengthened for three straight months. As a result of the increasing trend, multiple cash bids across the region are now higher than the July futures price (i.e., basis to July futures is positive). The consistent strengthening has also led to many local basis levels reaching their highest mark of the 2024 – 2025 marketing year.

Read More

Follow @PUCommercialAg to see the latest farm management news.

Financial Management Series

Find out where we will be presenting next as we collaborate with others.