{"id":15582,"date":"2026-11-03T10:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-03T14:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/commercialag\/ageconomybarometer\/?p=15582"},"modified":"2026-11-03T09:13:26","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T13:13:26","slug":"optimism-grows-in-october-as-current-conditions-improve-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/commercialag\/ageconomybarometer\/optimism-grows-in-october-as-current-conditions-improve-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Optimism grows in October as current conditions improve"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. \u2014 Farmer sentiment improved in October as the <a href=\"https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/commercialag\/ageconomybarometer\/\">Purdue University\/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer<\/a> rose from 123 points in September to 126. The survey reported a 16-point increase in the Index of Current Conditions. The increase coincided with the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s distribution of Agriculture Risk Coverage \u00a0Price Loss Coverage payments, although the survey did not specifically ask respondents about the effect of those payments. Although the Index of Future Expectations fell 2 points, with high input costs remaining the biggest concern, the Farm Financial Performance Index rose from 90 to 94, and the Farm Capital Investment Index jumped from 39 to 55. The survey was conducted among 400 farmers across the nation from Oct. 12-16.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_15583\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/commercialag\/ageconomybarometer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/261103OctoberAgBarometer_Fig1-scaled.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15583\" class=\"wp-image-15583 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/commercialag\/ageconomybarometer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/261103OctoberAgBarometer_Fig1-300x217.png\" alt=\"Optimism grows in October as current conditions improve. (Purdue University\/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer\/Michael Langemeier)\" width=\"300\" height=\"217\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/commercialag\/ageconomybarometer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/261103OctoberAgBarometer_Fig1-300x217.png 300w, https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/commercialag\/ageconomybarometer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/261103OctoberAgBarometer_Fig1-1024x742.png 1024w, https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/commercialag\/ageconomybarometer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/261103OctoberAgBarometer_Fig1-768x557.png 768w, https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/commercialag\/ageconomybarometer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/261103OctoberAgBarometer_Fig1-1536x1113.png 1536w, https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/commercialag\/ageconomybarometer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/261103OctoberAgBarometer_Fig1-2048x1485.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-15583\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Optimism grows in October as current conditions improve.<\/strong> (Purdue University\/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer\/Michael Langemeier)<\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">Improvements in both the Farm Financial Performance Index and the Farm Capital Investment Index indicate that producers\u2019 financial expectations were modestly stronger in October. Although investment sentiment reached its strongest reading in nearly a year, most respondents noted they still hesitate to make large investments, with only 20% saying now is a good time to invest in machinery and buildings.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">This month\u2019s survey included questions about farm resilience and the ability to withstand market shocks. Among respondents, 62% agreed or strongly agreed that their balance sheets are strong, and 60% agreed or strongly agreed in a related question about having a solid working capital position, suggesting many farms remain financially resilient. However, the January 2026 survey reported that 75% of respondents indicated they had a strong balance sheet. The drop from January to October hints at producers being less confident in their financial position this month than at the beginning of the year.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">Though the surveyed producers remained optimistic about farmland values over the next five years, the Short-Term Farmland Value Expectations Index fell 1 point to 125, while the Long-Term Index dropped 6 points to 162. Alternative investments, interest rates and inflation were identified as the three factors having the greatest influence on farmland values.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">Two questions highlighted growing producer concern about the long-run policy environment. Previous surveys found that between 49% and 70% of respondents believed that the increased use of tariffs in the U.S. would strengthen the agricultural economy in the long run. This month, only 35% held that view. In addition, fewer than half of respondents (48%) said the country is headed in the \u201cright direction,\u201d marking the second consecutive month that this share remained below the average of 60% from July 2025 to June 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cWhile producers saw some relief this month due to government program support, many remain uncertain about how future policy decisions could affect agriculture,\u201d said <a href=\"https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/commercialag\/home\/team\/michael-langemeier\/\">Michael Langemeier<\/a>, the barometer\u2019s principal investigator and director of Purdue\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/commercialag\/home\/\">Center for Commercial Agriculture<\/a>. \u201cResponses to our policy questions suggest that concerns about trade policy and the country\u2019s broader direction are shaping how producers view agriculture\u2019s long-term prospects.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>About the Purdue University Center for Commercial Agriculture<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/commercialag\/home\/\">Center for Commercial Agriculture<\/a> was founded in 2011 to provide professional development and educational programs for farmers. Housed within Purdue University\u2019s Department of Agricultural Economics, the center\u2019s faculty and staff develop and execute research and educational programs that address the different needs of managing in today\u2019s business environment.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>About CME Group<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">As the world\u2019s leading derivatives marketplace, CME Group (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cmegroup.com\/\">www.cmegroup.com<\/a>) enables clients to trade futures, options, cash and OTC markets, optimize portfolios, and analyze data \u2013 empowering market participants worldwide to efficiently manage risk and capture opportunities. CME Group exchanges offer the widest range of global benchmark products across all major asset classes based on <a href=\"https:\/\/edge.prnewswire.com\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4538530-1&amp;h=2093029550&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cmegroup.com%2Ftrading%2Finterest-rates%2Findex.html&amp;a=interest+rates\">interest rates<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/edge.prnewswire.com\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4538530-1&amp;h=1446528168&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cmegroup.com%2Ftrading%2Fequity-index%2Findex.html&amp;a=equity+indexes\">equity indexes<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/edge.prnewswire.com\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4538530-1&amp;h=350712151&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cmegroup.com%2Ftrading%2Ffx%2F&amp;a=foreign+exchange\">foreign exchange<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/edge.prnewswire.com\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4538530-1&amp;h=3398289143&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cmegroup.com%2Fmarkets%2Fcryptocurrencies.html&amp;a=cryptocurrencies\">cryptocurrencies<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/edge.prnewswire.com\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4538530-1&amp;h=2235278438&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cmegroup.com%2Ftrading%2Fenergy%2F&amp;a=energy\">energy<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/edge.prnewswire.com\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4538530-1&amp;h=69586028&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cmegroup.com%2Ftrading%2Fagricultural%2F&amp;a=agricultural+products\">agricultural products<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/edge.prnewswire.com\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4538530-1&amp;h=3728619573&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cmegroup.com%2Ftrading%2Fmetals%2F&amp;a=metals\">metals<\/a>. The company offers futures and options on futures trading through the <a href=\"https:\/\/edge.prnewswire.com\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4538530-1&amp;h=3002601063&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cmegroup.com%2Fglobex%2Findex.html&amp;a=CME+Globex\">CME Globex<\/a> platform, fixed income trading via BrokerTec and foreign exchange trading on the EBS platform. In addition, it operates one of the world\u2019s leading central counterparty clearing providers, CME Clearing.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">CME Group, the Globe logo, CME, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Globex, and E-mini are trademarks of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. CBOT and Chicago Board of Trade are trademarks of Board of Trade of the City of Chicago, Inc. NYMEX, New York Mercantile Exchange and ClearPort are trademarks of New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc. COMEX is a trademark of Commodity Exchange, Inc. BrokerTec is a trademark of BrokerTec Americas LLC and EBS is a trademark of EBS Group LTD. The S&amp;P 500 Index is a product of S&amp;P Dow Jones Indices LLC (\u201cS&amp;P DJI\u201d). \u201cS&amp;P\u00ae\u201d, \u201cS&amp;P 500\u00ae\u201d, \u201cSPY\u00ae\u201d, \u201cSPX\u00ae\u201d, US 500 and The 500 are trademarks of Standard &amp; Poor\u2019s Financial Services LLC; Dow Jones\u00ae, DJIA\u00ae and Dow Jones Industrial Average are service and\/or trademarks of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. These trademarks have been licensed for use by Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. Futures contracts based on the S&amp;P 500 Index are not sponsored, endorsed, marketed, or promoted by S&amp;P DJI, and S&amp;P DJI makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in such products. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>About Purdue University<\/h2>\n<p>Purdue University is a research institution ranked among the top 10 public universities in the United States. More than 111,000 students study at Purdue across multiple campuses, including more than 57,000 at our main campus locations in West Lafayette and Indianapolis. As a land-grant university committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue\u2019s main campus has frozen tuition 14 years in a row, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Author:<\/strong> Morgan French<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Release date: <\/strong>November 3, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. ET<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Source:<\/strong> Michael Langemeier, <a href=\"mailto:mlangeme@purdue.edu\">mlangeme@purdue.edu<\/a>, 765-494-9557<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Media contacts:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">Aissa Good, Purdue University, <a href=\"mailto:aissa@purdue.edu\">aissa@purdue.edu<\/a>, 765-496-3884<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">Anne Burke, CME Group, <a href=\"mailto:anne.burke@cmegroup.com\">anne.burke@cmegroup.com<\/a>, 312-802-6839<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. \u2014 Farmer sentiment improved in October as the Purdue University\/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose from 123 points in September to 126. The survey reported a 16-point increase in the Index of Current Conditions. The increase coincided with the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s distribution of Agriculture Risk Coverage \u00a0Price Loss Coverage payments,&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15582","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-media"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Optimism grows in October as current conditions improve<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/commercialag\/ageconomybarometer\/optimism-grows-in-october-as-current-conditions-improve-2\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Optimism grows in October as current conditions improve\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. \u2014 Farmer sentiment improved in October as the Purdue University\/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose from 123 points in September to 126. 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The increase coincided with the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s distribution of Agriculture Risk Coverage \u00a0Price Loss Coverage payments,&hellip;\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/commercialag\/ageconomybarometer\/optimism-grows-in-october-as-current-conditions-improve-2\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Ag Economy Barometer\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/purdueagribusiness\/?fref=ts\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-11-03T14:30:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/commercialag\/ageconomybarometer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/261103OctoberAgBarometer_Fig1-scaled.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1856\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Sarah E Zahn\" 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