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Limited Pork Expansion

September 13, 2015

The pork industry has largely overcome the impacts of the 2014 PED virus. Pork producers have been disciplined in limiting expansion after record 2014 profits.

Buying (Selling) Inputs in the Current Business Climate

September 8, 2015

Grain farmers are facing significantly lower prices and incomes in 2015 compared to previous years which have resulted in intense pressure to lower costs by aggressive negotiation on land rents and purchased inputs. Much of this negotiation has focused on price–farmers are asking/expecting price reductions, but suppliers of fertilizer seed and chemicals in particular are hesitant to adjust prices down.

Agricultural Productivity Growth and Regulation

August 31, 2015

This paper uses measures of regulation from the Mercatus Center at George Mason University and the Weidenbaum Center at Washington University at St. Louis to examine the impact of regulation by these agencies on state-level agricultural productivity.

Becoming a “Best in Class” Farm

August 20, 2015

Corn Belt agriculture is in the midst of transitioning from one of the most profitable periods on record to what could be an extended period of tight margins for most corn and soybean operations. Now that the 2015 planting season is drawing to a close, you should take time to reevaluate your farming operation and consider how you can make sure your farm is strategically positioned to be a “best in class” operation in the years ahead. Doing so will help ensure that your farm will thrive, not just survive, in an era of tight operating margins.

Lower Pork Costs Also Driven by Lower Meal Costs

August 13, 2015

Soybean meal is an important but an “economically” secondary feed ingredient in hog diets compared to corn. My estimates suggest that soybean meal costs have been about 22 percent of the total costs of raising hogs over the past decade, compared to 32 percent for corn.

Beef Herd Expanding Quickly, But Will It Continue?

August 13, 2015

The nation’s beef cow herd has started down the path of the largest expansion in 25 years. The last major expansion was from 1990 to 1995 when the herd grew by ten percent.

Where Are Indiana Farmland Values Headed?

August 7, 2015

Recorded August 7, 2015 | Results from the June 2015 Purdue Farmland Values Survey including average farmland and cash rental value estimates for the state of Indiana and key cropping regions within the state.

Evaluating Your Farmland Rental “Options”

August 6, 2015

Gross revenues for most Indiana corn and soybean farms reached unprecedented levels during 2006 through 2013, but declined sharply in 2014 and 2015. The revenue decline, which will be exacerbated on many Indiana farms by yield reductions caused by this spring and summer’s excessive rainfall, is putting tremendous pressure on operating margins.

Higher Feed Costs Could Mean Pork Industry Losses

July 13, 2015

Weather damaged corn and soybean fields are also harmful to hog producers. Rising feed prices mean higher costs of production for the pork industry. Recent higher corn and soybean meal prices have increased anticipated hog costs by about $10 per head.

Crop Outlook and Management Strategy

July 1, 2015

Recorded July 1, 2015 | A review of the fundamental drivers of crop prices and updated management recommendations in light of shifting crop conditions.