Top Farmer Conference: January 10, 2025

As one of the most successful and longest-running management programs specifically crafted for farmers, the Purdue Top Farmer Conference is a one-day event for agricultural producers and agribusiness professionals looking to navigate the complexities of today's agricultural landscape. Participants will have the opportunity to network with peers and hear from farm management experts and agricultural economists from Purdue, Farm Credit Services of America, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Acres, a land value data analytics company.

Farmer Sentiment Following the U.S. Election Reaches Highest Levels Since May 2021

December 3, 2024

Farmer sentiment jumped again in November, with the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer climbing 30 points to a reading of 145. This marked the highest level of farmer optimism since May 2021. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier share some insight into the results of the November 2024 Ag Economy Barometer survey, conducted Nov. 11-15, 2024, the week following the U.S. presidential election.

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Crop Budget Spreadsheet

November 12, 2024

This spreadsheet can be used along with the Purdue Crop Cost & Return Guide to examine gross revenue, costs, and earnings for crop enterprises.  The user can evaluate up to three full-season crops, and the wheat double-crop soybean system. Updated November 2024.

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2025 Crop Cost and Return Guide

November 12, 2024

The Purdue Crop Cost and Return Guide offers farmers a resource to project financials for the coming cropping year. These are the November 2024 crop budget estimations for 2025.

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Long-Term Trends in Pigs per Litter

November 12, 2024

Pigs per litter has increased at a rate of 0.107 pigs per year since 1994. Another way of stating the same thing, the annual growth rate of pigs per litter in the U.S. was 1.1 percent from 1994 to 2023. Continued improvements in production performance will help ensure the U.S. swine industry remains competitive.

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Indiana Corn and Soybean Basis Rally Heading into November

November 8, 2024

In the month leading up to the most recent crop basis update, distinct trends in the Northern and Southern parts of Indiana were observable. Over the past three weeks, there has been a consistent basis strengthening across Indiana for both corn and soybeans. In every part of the state, corn and soybean basis were greater on November 6th than on October 10th. In most cases, this has meant that basis levels have exceeded the three-year average for the first time this year.

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Farmer Sentiment in October Rebounded Ahead of the U.S. Election

November 5, 2024

Farmer sentiment saw an unexpected surge in October ahead of the upcoming U.S. election, according to the latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. The index rose to 115, marking a 27-point increase from September. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier share some insight into the results of the October 2024 Ag Economy Barometer survey, conducted from Oct. 14-18, 2024, on this Purdue Commercial AgCast episode.

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Flexible vs. Fixed Cash Rent Farmland Leases

October 25, 2024

Feeling like your cash rent is too high this year? Tune into this AgCast episode as we discuss farmland rental agreements, with a focus on flexible cash rent leases versus traditional cash rental and crop share arrangements. A comparison of cropland flex leases to cash rental agreements is provided with insights from the 2024 Purdue Farmland and Cash Rental Rate Survey. The discussion covers cash rental trends in west central Indiana, the economic factors influencing changes in rental rates, and the relationship between net returns to land and cash rental rates. They also discuss the benefits and challenges associated with flex leases, emphasizing the importance of clear agreements.

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Exploring the Organic Grain Industry: Challenges and Opportunities

October 18, 2024

In this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast, Chad Fiechter hosts Michael O’Donnell, a regional manager at Belltown Farms, who focusing on converting conventional farms to organic. Michael shares insights on crop rotations, equipment, personnel, and market demands, emphasizing the shift towards domestic organic grain production. The episode concludes with optimism for the future of organic farming and Michael’s dedication to promoting sustainable agriculture.

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Northern Indiana Corn Basis Begins Weaker, but Narrows Gap with Southern Indiana as Harvest Proceeds

October 11, 2024

Through the first month of the 2024-2025 marketing year, two distinct patterns in Indiana corn basis have emerged. First, basis levels in the Northern and Eastern parts of the state began September significantly lower than those in Southern Indiana. The second trend involved changes in regional corn basis through September.

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The 2024-25 Financial Downturn: Who is the Most Vulnerable

October 2, 2024

Midwest crop producers have experienced a significant downturn in corn, soybean, and wheat prices since the beginning of the year and farm incomes are expected to be much lower in 2024 than they have been the last three to four years. Moreover, current expectations are that prices will continue to remain at or below the cost of production for at least a couple more years. Consequently, a key question being asked is as follows: “who is the most vulnerable financially during this downturn”?

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2023 Farm Custom Rates for Indiana

Top Farmer Conference 2025

January 10, 2025

A management programs geared specifically for farmers. Surrounded by farm management, farm policy, agricultural finance and marketing experts, and a group of your peers, the conference will stimulate your thinking about agriculture’s future and how you can position your farm to be successful in the years ahead.

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Purdue Income Tax School: Ag Tax Webinar

December 19, 2024

The 2024 Ag Tax Webinar, part of the Purdue Income Tax School, will provide in-depth coverage of selected agricultural and farm income tax issues to supplement material provided at the two-day in-person or virtual tax schools. The 2024 webinar will be taught by Guido Van Der Hoeven, an expert on agricultural tax issues and one of the authors of the 2024 Agricultural Tax Issues book, on Monday, December 19, 2024, starting at 9:00 am ET.

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