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.

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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Farmer Sentiment Reaches Lowest Levels Since 2016 as Income Expectations Weaken

October 1, 2024

The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer recorded its lowest readings since March 2016 in September. Declining income expectations pushed farmer sentiment down as the barometer fell 12 points to 88. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier share some insight into the results of the September 2024 Ag Economy Barometer survey on this Purdue Commercial AgCast episode.

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(Part 2) 2024 Indiana Cash Rent Trends

September 26, 2024

Negotiating cash rental rates? This AgCast episode explores 2024 farmland cash rent trends in the Purdue Farmland Value and Cash Rental Rates survey and long-term trends in Indiana cash rental rates, including an examination of regional variation in rates within Indiana. The discussion concludes by examining the relationship between cash rental rates and estimated net returns to land as well as the long-term farmland price to cash rent ratio.

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Connecting Soil Health to Economics: A Look at Balancing Farm Goals

September 16, 2024

Michael Langemeier presented at the Regional Conservation Finance Ag Educator Training in Arlington, WI on September 16, 2024, on connecting soil health to economics and looking at formulating and priortizing farm goals.

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The Economics of Reduced Tillage and Cover Crops: Exploring Aggregated Data

September 16, 2024

Michael Langemeier presented at the Regional Conservation Finance Ag Educator Training in Arlington, WI on September 16, 2024, on the economics of reduced tillage and cover crops.

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(Part 1) 2024 Indiana Farmland Values & Market Trends

September 11, 2024

Interested in the latest trends and insights on U.S. & Indiana farmland values? This AgCast episode shares insights from the Farm Sector Balance Sheet, USDA data collection methods, regional variations in land values, and the influences of factors such as interest rates and development pressures on farmland prices. Gain an in-depth understanding of trends, market dynamics, and future expectations for farmland values.

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Crop Basis Levels Finish Weaker Than Recent Years

September 6, 2024

Looking back on last year, the importance of understanding how basis affects your marketing plan is evident. Basis levels for corn and soybeans peaked at different times during the 2023-2024 marketing year. Preparing for the Fall 2024 harvest, basis levels continue to be below the three-year trend. To check your up-to-date local basis levels throughout harvest this fall, visit Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture Crop Basis Tool.

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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.