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AgCast 215: Farm Sentiment Is Up… So Why Are Farmers Still Worried?

In this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast, Joana Colussi and Michael Langemeier break down the March 2026 Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. Despite rising input costs and global uncertainty tied to geopolitical conflict, farmer sentiment moved higher—driven in part by stronger crop prices and government payments.

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Farmer Sentiment Improves Despite Rising Input Cost Concerns

Farmer sentiment improved in March as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose to 127, up from 116 in February. The improvement was driven by a notable increase in producers’ expectations for the future.

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Trends in General Inflation & Farm Input Prices

Farm input costs don’t move in lockstep with inflation. Understanding which costs follow inflation—and which don’t—is key to managing margins in today’s volatile environment.

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Precision Ag Paying Off?—Here’s What the Data Shows

Precision agriculture tools are widely adopted—but do they actually improve profitability? A 21-year study of 570 farms finds most technologies don’t increase efficiency, with gains concentrated among lower-performing operations.

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AgCast 214: Farming with No Margin for Error, Lessons from the Delta, Part 6

Rice farming in the Mississippi Delta offers a look at how farms operate under tighter labor, water, and capital constraints. In this episode, farmers share insights that translate beyond rice—highlighting how production intensity shapes equipment decisions, timing, and risk management in ways Midwestern producers can apply.

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Extracting Value from Precision Agriculture Technology is Difficult

Precision agriculture technology promises efficiency gains, but evidence shows most tools don’t improve farm performance. This analysis of Kansas farms highlights which technologies deliver measurable returns—and why management, learning, and farm efficiency level matter more than adoption alone.

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Brazil Soybean Boom Slowing? Profit Pressure Signals a Shift

Brazil is expected to produce a record soybean crop, but profitability is sharply declining due to rising costs and lower prices. Margins in key regions could fall to near break-even levels, potentially slowing acreage expansion and influencing global soybean supply and price dynamics.

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AgCast 213: Farm Robotics, Labor, and the Future of Field Work, Lessons from the Delta, Part 5

A chance encounter in the Mississippi Delta leads to a closer look at how farm robotics are being used to address labor shortages and improve efficiency. This episode explores small autonomous machines designed for precision weeding, highlighting how automation is evolving from concept to practical field application.

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March Basis Shift: Corn Weakens, Soybeans Hold

Corn and soybean basis trends are diverging across the Eastern Corn Belt. Corn basis has weakened relative to historical patterns, while soybean basis is tracking closer to seasonal averages. Regional production differences and recent volatility highlight the importance of monitoring local basis levels heading into April.

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AgCast 212: Inside the Research Center Driving U.S. Rice Production, Lessons from the Delta, Part 4

The Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center plays a critical role in supporting U.S. rice production, located in a region responsible for a large share of national output. This episode explores how research, water management, and production systems come together to support rice farming in the Mississippi Delta, highlighting the complexity and intensity of the system.

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