Archived Podcasts
Recorded episodes from our podcast, Purdue Commercial AgCast, are listed below. Get the podcast on your phone so you never miss any of our episodes in the future. And don't forget to subscribe!
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Audio Recording
Weakening Farm Income Prospects Weigh On Farmer Sentiment
The August Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer dropped 13 points from July to a reading of 100, echoing levels seen from fall 2015 to winter 2016 during the early stages of a significant downturn in the U.S. farm economy. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier share some insight into the results of the August 2024 Ag Economy Barometer survey on this Purdue Commercial AgCast episode.
Listen to this episodeMaria Marshall and Renee Wiatt join host Brady Brewer in this episode to discuss how the many generations of family engaged in a family business interact with one another. One of the challenges in a family business is understanding the differences in generational perspectives on the business and possible succession. This AgCast episode reviews results from a recent survey conducted across the Midwest which examines generational differences within farm families seeking to transition their businesses to the next generation.
Listen to this episodeAll three broad-based measures of farmer sentiment improved in July as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer index rose 8 points to 113, the Index of Current Conditions increased by 10 points to 100, and the Index of Future Expectations at 119 was 7 points higher than a month earlier. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier share some insight into the results of the July 2024 Ag Economy Barometer survey on this Purdue Commercial AgCast episode.
Listen to this episodeAgricultural Jobs & Labor Update
Labor availability and labor retention are big issues in the U.S. economy and that’s especially true for agribusiness firms and for commercial scale farm operations. According to the latest Purdue Agricultural Job Market Report, job postings are up by 50%. More employers are seeking entry-level candidates with higher levels of education. Additionally, it has become more common for employers to include salary information in their job postings as a way to encourage applications. In this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast, host Brady Brewer joins Josh Strine, a Ph.D. student in Purdue’s Department of Agricultural Economics, to discuss the Purdue Ag Jobs Dashboard.
Listen to this episodeFarmer 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.
Listen to this episodeFarm Retirement & Succession Preparedness
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.
Listen to this episodeU.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.
Listen to this episodeManaging Strategic Risks on Your Farm
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.
Listen to this episodeFarmer sentiment declines to lowest level since June 2022 amid weakened financial outlook
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.
Listen to this episodeNavigating Farm Loan Interest Rates
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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