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The Role of Technology in Improving Farm Profitability | Commodity Classic 2025

March 12, 2025

Each year, numerous emerging technologies claim to boost your production, reduce input usage, or streamline your farm’s operations. However, the effectiveness of these technologies varies across different farms. Purdue ag economists James Mintert, Michael Langemeier, and Chad Fiechter examined how technology affects long-term farm growth and profitability, and share insights from farm financial records and farmer surveys during their 2025 Commodity Classic Learning Center Session on March 4, 2025. Watch the recording now!

Contingency Planning with Cash Flow Shortages

March 5, 2025

Contingency plans related to how to respond to changes in projected cash flows are important. Given the expected drop in crop prices this fall and wide variability in expected prices, it would be prudent for a farm to examine the sensitivity of their cash flow and repayment capacity to changes in crop prices. Using a case farm in southwest Indiana, Michael illustrates how contingency plans could be used.

Farmer Sentiment Rises as Current Conditions Improve on U.S. Farms

March 4, 2025

U.S. farmer sentiment continued its upward trend in February, as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose 11 points from the previous month to a reading of 152. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier share some insight into the results of the February 2025 Ag Economy Barometer survey, conducted from February 10-14, in this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast.

February Indiana Crop Basis Update & Using the Crop Basis Tool to Plan Storage Hedges

February 14, 2025

Since the beginning of December, corn and soybean basis across Indiana have generally been stable. Over the 10 weeks, most basis levels stayed within a $0.10/bu. range.

Flexible Cash Rent Leases, Presentation at Ag Women Engage

February 14, 2025

Michael Langemeier presented at the Ag Women Engage Conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana on February 13, 2025, on flexible cash rent leases.

2025 Crop Cost and Return Guide

February 10, 2025

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

Benchmarking Labor Efficiency and Productivity

February 6, 2025

Labor costs are one of the most prevalent costs on a farm. As such, farm managers need to evaluate whether they are utilizing labor efficiently and productively. One way to evaluate this issue is to use benchmarks created using data from similar farms. Labor benchmarks should include family and operator labor as well as hired labor.

U.S. Farmers’ Retain Optmistic Outlook for 2025 Despite Ag Trade Uncertainty

February 4, 2025

U.S. farmers retained their post-election optimistic outlook at the start of the new year as the January Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index rose 5 points above a month earlier to a reading of 141. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier share some insight into the results of the January 2025 Ag Economy Barometer survey, conducted from January 13-17, in this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast.

Indiana crop basis to nearby contracts are stable through the first half of January

January 17, 2025

Through the first three weeks of January, corn and soybean basis have been stable or weakened slightly. This is a continuation of the stabilization and slight weakening that started in December and follows statewide strengthening throughout November. Before November, the 2024-2025 crop basis levels were well below the three-year average.

2025 Purdue Top Farmer Conference

January 13, 2025

The Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture welcomed over 270 farmers and agribusiness professionals to the 2025 Purdue Top Farmer Conference on Friday, January 10th. The annual farm management conference provided a great networking opportunity for top producers and industry professionals. View photos from the event now.