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.