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Does New Planter Technology Pay? What a Purdue Field Trial Found

Does upgrading to the latest planter technology actually improve a farm’s bottom line? A Purdue field trial comparing modern and 30-year-old planter technology found no measurable difference in corn yield but the economic value of newer technology may extend well beyond yield.

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Which Farmland Lease Is Best? Fixed Cash Rent, Crop Share or Flexible Rent

The lease structure you choose can change your farm’s risk, cash flow and upside—even when long-run returns look surprisingly similar. So which farmland lease makes the most sense for you? This Purdue Commercial AgBrief compares fixed cash rent, crop share and flexible cash rent and shows how each performs under different market conditions.

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Crop and Livestock Producers: Different Sentiment, Similar Concerns and Challenges

The latest Ag Economy Barometer shows livestock producers remain more optimistic than crop farmers, but both groups agree that marketing, input costs, and commodity prices are their biggest challenges.

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Why Farmer Sentiment Improved in July

The latest Ag Economy Barometer shows farmer sentiment rebounding after three consecutive months of decline. In this month’s discussion, Purdue agricultural economists Michael Langemeier and Joana Colussi go beyond the survey results to explain what producers are thinking about the farm economy and the risks shaping their outlook.

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Farmer Sentiment Rebounds—Why Marketing Matters More Than Ever

Drawing on results from the latest Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, Michael explores how today’s combination of elevated input costs and tighter commodity margins is changing the way farmers think about risk. While farmer sentiment improved in July, the survey reveals that long-term profitability will depend less on producing a good crop and more on earning a profitable price for it.

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After 3 Months of Decline, Farmer Sentiment Rebounds in July

Farmer sentiment improved in July, ending three consecutive months of decline, as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer (AEB) Index increased from 113 points in June to 126 points in July.

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Why Some Farmers Plan to Grow While Others Don’t

A new Purdue Commercial AgBrief explores what sets growth-oriented farms apart—from investment confidence to risk tolerance.

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Impact of Leverage on Rates of Return of Crop Farms

Increasing financial leverage will increase expected returns as long the marginal returns from the use of loans exceed the cost of borrowing. In favorable economic times, higher leverage can improve financial performance and stimulate farm growth. However, in unfavorable economic times, leverage can cause business performance to deteriorate rapidly. Thus, higher leverage may increase expected returns and financial risk.

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Trends in Cattle Finishing Breakeven Prices and Net Returns

Cattle finishing is a tight margin business where profitability relies on feeder cattle prices relative to fed cattle prices and feed costs. This means that relatively high fed cattle prices, like we are experiencing in 2026, or relatively low feed costs do not necessarily translate into strong net returns. This article examines trends in feeding cost of gain, breakeven prices, and net returns for the last ten years.

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What TractorZoom’s Data Says About the Future of Farm Equipment

Farm equipment markets are constantly changing, but what can auction data tell us about where agriculture is headed? In this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast, hosts Chad Fiechter and Todd Kuethe are joined by Andy Campbell, co-founder of TractorZoom, to discuss how data is reshaping equipment markets and the decisions farmers make every day.

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