You're viewing a specific archive. Looking for something and want to search by keyword or just take a general look at ALL our resources? Click Search below!
Search our entire resource library
Resources
Corn and soybean basis strengthened across the Eastern Corn Belt in April, with gains exceeding historical trends in several regions. However, persistent regional differences remain, particularly between stronger Ohio basis levels and weaker Iowa conditions. These shifts—especially along the Ohio River—highlight changing cash market signals heading into May.
Read MoreU.S. farm income in 2026 appears stable, but increased government payments are masking weaker livestock receipts and rising costs. Indiana faces a sharper decline, with net farm income projected to fall 28%, highlighting tighter margins and growing financial pressure heading into 2027.
Read MoreHerbicide program costs across Indiana vary significantly by region, ranging from approximately $49 to over $62 per acre. These differences are driven by geographic variation in weed pressure, herbicide resistance, and environmental conditions. Northern Indiana faces higher resistance pressure, leading to more intensive and costly programs, while central and southern regions balance flexibility, emergence patterns, and operational risk. Understanding these regional dynamics is critical for managing both short-term costs and long-term weed control effectiveness.
Read MoreWith renewed tensions in the Middle East and concerns over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, fertilizer markets are once again under pressure. In this episode of Commercial AgBriefs, Joana Colussi compares fertilizer supply and demand trends in the U.S. and Brazil over the past five years and explains how dependent each country remains on imported nitrogen, phosphate, and potash.
Read MoreRice farming in the Delta reveals how water, wildlife, and profitability intersect. This final episode explores groundwater challenges, duck habitat value, and how farmers are adapting systems for long-term sustainability.
Read MoreFour years after the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, which pushed fertilizer prices to historic highs, the current conflict in the Middle East has once again brought attention to the risks associated with dependence on imported fertilizers for agricultural production. With Iran restricting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route linking the Persian Gulf to global export markets, major supply disruptions have been affecting the United States and Brazil – the world’s two largest country-level fertilizer importers. This article compares fertilizer supply and demand trends over the past five years in both countries, analyzing the scale of their external dependence and the potential implications for agricultural competitiveness.
Read MoreCorn and soybean basis strengthened faster than expected across the Eastern Corn Belt, with Ohio and Indiana showing standout gains. Historical trends suggest volatility ahead—making it critical for producers to monitor local basis closely.
Read MoreGeneral inflation has eased from recent highs, but farm input costs remain elevated and in some cases are still rising. Fertilizer, fuel, and other key inputs continue to be driven by supply shocks and global market forces, creating a disconnect from broader inflation trends. That gap is keeping breakeven prices high and adding uncertainty to 2026 planning decisions. See how these trends are shaping cost expectations for the year ahead.
Read MoreLessons From the Delta continues — this time from the edge of a 120-acre on-farm reservoir. In Part 7 of the Purdue Commercial AgCast mini-series, Chad Fiechter and Todd Kuethe visit a rice farm in Arkansas to understand how farmers are managing water, labor, and costs in ways that look very different from the Midwest.
Read MoreFarmer sentiment rose sharply in March, with the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer increasing 11 points as future expectations improved. Yet nearly 70% of producers still say it’s a bad time to invest, citing ongoing pressure from high input costs and weak output prices.
Read More