April 4, 2023

Commodity Price Outlook and Interest Rate Concerns Cloud Farmer Sentiment

Purdue ag economist James Mintert and Michael Langemeier break down the March Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer and share some insights into farmer sentiment. The Ag Economy Barometer fell 8 points to a reading of 117. Both the Index of Current Conditions and Index of Future Expectations declined 8 points in March leaving the Current Conditions Index at 126 and the Future Expectations Index at 113. This month’s survey was conducted from March 13-17, 2023.

Download the Slides

The full report is available at https://purdue.ag/agbarometer.

TAGS:

sentiment

TEAM LINKS:

James Mintert

Michael Langemeier

RELATED RESOURCES

Livestock Sector Optimism Fuels a Modest Rise in Farmer Sentiment in October

November 4, 2025

U.S. farmer sentiment edged slightly higher in October, with the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rising 3 points to a reading of 129. Farmers’ appraisals of current conditions highlight a “tale of two economies”: Livestock producers remain highly optimistic about their farm conditions, partly supported by record-high profitability in the beef sector, while crop producers report a more pessimistic view of the current situation on their farms due to low profit margins across major crop enterprises. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier review the results from the September Ag Economy Barometer and give their insights into farmer sentiment and the farm economy.

Farmers Say Current Conditions on U.S. Farms Are Weakening

October 7, 2025

Farmer sentiment held steady in September, as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose just 1 point to a reading of 126. However, there was a shift in producers’ perceptions of current conditions and their expectations for the future. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier review the results from the September Ag Economy Barometer and give their insights into farmer sentiment and the farm economy.

Crop vs. Livestock Sentiment: Perspectives from the Ag Economy Barometer

October 6, 2025

Given the large difference in prices received and projected net return prospects, it is not surprising to find a large difference in producer sentiment between crop and livestock producers in the August 2025 Ag Economy Barometer survey. In addition to differences in producer sentiment, larger percentages of crop producers expected to have larger operating loans in 2026, listed unpaid operator debt from the prior year as a reason for those larger loans, and were financially stressed.

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.

POPULAR RESOURCES

See What Others Like >>