November 2, 2021

Farmer Sentiment Weakens Amid Rising Concerns Of A Cost-Price Squeeze

For the third month in a row, agricultural producer sentiment weakened in October as the Ag Economy Barometer declined to 121, 3 points lower than a month earlier. The modest decline in the overall sentiment index occurred as a result of producers’ weaker perceptions regarding both current and future conditions in the production agriculture sector. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier review the results and give some insight into the October 2021 Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, a nationwide monthly survey of 400 ag producers. This month’s survey was conducted from October 18 to 22, 2021.

 

The full October Ag Economy Barometer report is available at https://purdue.ag/agbarometer.

TAGS:

TEAM LINKS:

RELATED RESOURCES

U.S. and Brazil Soybean Competitiveness: Farm-Level Costs and Returns

February 23, 2026

This article compares farm-level soybean costs and profitability in Iowa and Mato Grosso from 2020–2024. Brazilian farms face higher direct input costs, while U.S. farms carry heavier land-related overhead. Structural cost differences help explain Brazil’s sustained profitability and ongoing competitiveness in global soybean markets.

READ MORE

Farmer Sentiment Drops Sharply — What It Signals for Farm Finances in 2026

February 3, 2026

Farmer sentiment dropped sharply to start 2026, reflecting growing economic concerns across U.S. agriculture. But beyond the headline decline in

READ MORE

Farmer Sentiment Drifts Lower As Trade Uncertainty Hangs Over Agriculture

January 6, 2026

November brought the highest farmer sentiment reading since June, with the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer jumping 10 points from October to 139. The increase was driven primarily by producers’ more optimistic outlook for the future. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier review the results from the November Ag Economy Barometer and give their insights into farmer sentiment and the farm economy.

READ MORE

UPCOMING EVENTS

We are taking a short break, but please plan to join us at one of our future programs that is a little farther in the future.