Farmer Sentiment Drifts Lower on Weaker Future Expectations

July 2, 2024

Farmer sentiment drifted downward in June as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer reading of 105 was 3 points lower than a month earlier. The overall decline in sentiment was due to a five-point drop in the Index of Future Expectations, which fell to 112, while the June Current Conditions Index increased to 90, 1 point higher than the May index. High input costs, the risk of lower prices for their products, and rising interest rates continue to weigh on farmer sentiment.

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Farm Retirement & Succession Preparedness

June 25, 2024

Brady Brewer is joined by Dr. Maria Marshall and Renee Wiatt to discuss the findings of a recent survey conducted across the Midwest, examining the readiness of farm families to transition their businesses to the next generation. The conversation highlights the challenges and emotional complexities involved, emphasizing the importance of early planning and open communication to ensure both the business’s sustainability and the family’s cohesion.

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Stay Tuned for Possible Basis Swings This Summer

June 7, 2024

Since early May, Indiana corn basis has flattened or improved modestly, depending on the location. Corn basis levels throughout Indiana remain well below their three-year average.

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Farmer Sentiment Recovers in May; Interest in Solar Leasing Rising

June 4, 2024

U.S. farmers’ outlook improved in May as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer index rose to 108, marking a 9-point increase from April. Purdue ag economist James Mintert shares some insight into the results of the ay 2024 Ag Economy Barometer survey on this Purdue Commercial AgCast episode.

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Managing Strategic Risks on Your Farm

May 24, 2024

Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture recorded a series of short podcasts and accompanying videos to help agricultural producers improve their strategic risk management skills. Farms are exposed to strategic risks that are caused by a wide variety of unanticipated shocks to the operating environment ranging from government policy shifts to disease outbreaks.

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Key Resources

May 24, 2024

Advancements in production agriculture continue to accelerate making the business environment more complex and creating a significant need for a forward-thinking mindset. Develop an integrated risk management approach and build a strategic plan now.

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Corn & Soybean Basis Continue to Strengthen Despite Being Significantly Weaker than Historical Basis Levels

May 9, 2024

In recent weeks, corn basis has continued to strengthen steadily at many locations across the eastern Corn Belt. For example, corn basis in central Indiana for the second week of May was $0.22/bu. under July ’24 corn futures. This is $0.13/bu. stronger than the first week of March.

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Farmer sentiment declines to lowest level since June 2022 amid weakened financial outlook

May 7, 2024

Farmer sentiment declined sharply in April, as indicated by the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, which fell 15 points from March to a reading of 99. Purdue ag economist James Mintert shares some insight into the results of the April 2024 Ag Economy Barometer survey on this Purdue Commercial AgCast episode.

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Navigating Farm Loan Interest Rates

April 19, 2024

Host Brady Brewer, accompanied by guests Dr. Jennifer Iftt, Dr. Noah Miller, and Dr. Gerald Mashange, explore how agricultural loan interest rates vary among lenders. In this Purdue Commercial AgCast episode, they unpack a series of recent FarmDoc articles dissecting the nuances of interest rates in ag loans across various groups of lenders, geographic regions, and different types of farms.

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Financial Management Series

Purdue Flexible Lease Workshop

September 16 at 7 pm or September 23 at 9 am

The Flexible Lease virtual Workshop, presented by the Purdue Extension Land Lease Team, will include a presentation and discussion to help you decide if a flexible land lease arrangement is right for your farm.

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