September 7, 2021

Farmer Sentiment Improves in August, But Inflationary Concerns Mount

Agricultural producers’ sentiment improved slightly in August compared to July as the Ag Economy Barometer rose four points to a reading of 138 vs. 134 a month earlier. The modest rise in the barometer was primarily attributable to an improvement in the Index of Current Conditions, which climbed 9 points to 152 while the Index of Future Expectations rose just 2 points to 132. Although the barometer and its two key sub-indices improved in August compared to July, all three indices remain well below the very positive sentiment readings posted this past spring. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier review the results and give some insight into the August 2021 Ag Economy Barometer survey, a nationwide monthly survey of 400 ag producers, on this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast. This month’s survey was conducted from August 23-27, 2021.

 

The full August Ag Economy Barometer report is available at https://purdue.ag/agbarometer.

TAGS:

TEAM LINKS:

RELATED RESOURCES

Farmer Sentiment Reaches a Four-Year High in May

June 3, 2025

Farmer sentiment reached a four-year high in May. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier share their insight into the results of the May 2025 Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer survey, conducted from May 12-16, in this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast. The barometer rose 10 points to 158, the highest since May 2021, driven by optimism about future and current farm conditions.

READ MORE

Farmer Sentiment Improves as Long-Term Optimism Outweighs Tariff Concerns

May 6, 2025

Farmer sentiment improved in April as producers expressed more optimism about current and future conditions on their farms. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier share their insight into the results of the April 2025 Ag Economy Barometer survey, conducted from April 14-21, in this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast.

READ MORE

Producer Sentiment Slips Due to Rising Policy Uncertainty

April 1, 2025

Weaker expectations for the future led to a decline in farmer sentiment in March as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer index fell 12 points to a reading of 140, down from 152 a month earlier. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier share their insight into the results of the March 2025 Ag Economy Barometer survey, conducted from March 10-14, in this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast.

READ MORE

UPCOMING EVENTS

We are taking a short break, but please plan to join us at one of our future programs that is a little farther in the future.