Benchmarking Crop Machinery Cost and Investment
The continued increase in size of tractors, combines, and other machinery has enabled farms to operate more acres and reduce labor use per acre. However, this increase in machinery size also makes it increasingly important to evaluate the efficient use of machinery.
Read MoreIndiana basis strengthening slows to end 2024
It has been six weeks since the November Crop Basis Update was released. In that window, harvest has wrapped up across Indiana, and corn and soybean basis levels have been relatively stable compared to September and October. In all parts of the state, crop basis levels were higher on December 18th than they were on November 6th. This includes basis levels for Ohio River delivery points, ethanol plants, and soybean processors.
Read MoreAg Innovation & Policy Direction: A Preview of Upcoming Purdue Top Farmer Conference
In this special edition of the Purdue Commercial AgCast, Matt Erickson, policy specialist at Farm Credit Services of America, and Chad Fiechter, research director at Purdue’s Center for Commercial Agriculture, join James Mintert to discuss their upcoming presentations at the Purdue Top Farmer Conference on January 10th. Erickson highlights the economic and policy issues under the new administration, including the impact of inflation, tariffs, and the farm bill. Fiechter introduces a new AI-powered app designed to help farmers easily calculate financial ratios using tax and balance sheet data.
Read MoreProspects for Swine Feed Costs in 2025
Interested in recent trends in feed costs for farrow-to-finish and swine finishing enterprises, and projections for 2025? Average feed costs in 2024 were substantially lower than feed costs in 2022 and 2023. Moreover, a further reduction in feed costs is expected for the upcoming year.
Read MoreFarmer Sentiment Following the U.S. Election Reaches Highest Levels Since May 2021
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.
Read MoreCrop Budget Spreadsheet
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 March 2025.
Read MoreLong-Term Trends in Pigs per Litter
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.
Read MoreIndiana Corn and Soybean Basis Rally Heading into November
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.
Read MoreFarmer Sentiment in October Rebounded Ahead of the U.S. Election
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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