October 5, 2021

Farmer Sentiment Declines in September, Inflation Expectations Jump

Sentiment among agricultural producers weakened in September as the Ag Economy Barometer declined 14 points to a reading of 124. This is the weakest farmer sentiment reading since July 2020 when the index stood at 118. Producers were less optimistic about both current and future conditions on their farms and the agricultural sector than they were a month earlier. Purdue ag economist James Mintert reviews the results and gives some insight into the September 2021 Ag Economy Barometer, a nationwide monthly survey of 400 ag producers. This month’s survey was conducted from September 27-29, 2021.

 

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

TAGS:

TEAM LINKS:

RELATED RESOURCES

Farmer Sentiment Slips Again as High Input Costs Remain Top Concern

June 2, 2026

Farmer sentiment dropped again in May as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer declined from 121 points in April to 119. The Current Conditions Index fell by 8 points, while the Future Expectations Index increased by 1 point. The percentage of respondents who listed high input costs as their biggest concern was 51% in May, reaching a new high.

READ MORE

Farmer Sentiment Declines in April Amid Input Costs and Availability Concerns

May 5, 2026

Farmer sentiment declined in April with the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, falling from 127 in March to 121. The drop reflects weaker confidence in current conditions, declining expectations for future performance, and continued concerns about input costs, availability, and global uncertainty. The Farm Capital Investment Index also fell to its lowest level since October 2024, signaling reduced willingness to make large investments. With two-thirds of producers expecting lower farm income in 2026 and many anticipating higher corn break-even prices, the report highlights growing financial pressure across U.S. agriculture.

READ MORE

Producer Sentiment and Land Value Expectations

May 1, 2026

Results from the March 2026 Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer reveal a clear divide in producer sentiment based on land value expectations. Farmers expecting declining land values report weaker financial performance outlooks, lower investment confidence, and greater concern about input costs. In contrast, those expecting rising land values are more optimistic and influenced by factors such as alternative investments. Tracking these differences provides important context for understanding shifts in the farm economy.

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.