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Beyond the Headlines: May Ag Economy Barometer Insights & Implications

The May 2026 Ag Economy Barometer showed farmer sentiment weakened for the second consecutive month, but the headline only tells part of the story. Rising input costs, uncertainty about farm profitability, and concerns about the broader economic environment continue to weigh on producer outlooks. In this extended discussion, Michael Langemeier and Joana Colussi share what the survey results may mean for farm profitability, investment decisions, farmland values, labor challenges and producer views on AI (artificial intelligence) in agriculture, and the direction of the U.S. economy.

Input Costs Remain Farmers’ Top Concern | May 2026 Ag Economy Barometer

Farmer sentiment slipped again in the latest Purdue University–CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, with producers continuing to point to one dominant issue shaping their outlook. High input costs remain the #1 concern—and they’re influencing everything from investment decisions to expectations for 2026.

Farmer Sentiment Slips Again as High Input Costs Remain Top Concern

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.

Explaining Differences in Farm Growth Expectations

New research from Purdue’s Ag Economy Barometer shows major differences between farms expecting to grow and those planning to stay the same size. The findings reveal how sentiment, financial outlook, risk tolerance, and investment expectations shape future expansion decisions.

Corn & Soybean Basis Trends Heading Into June

Corn and soybean basis strengthened across much of the Eastern Corn Belt, especially in Ohio and Indiana. Josh Strine breaks down the latest basis trends, regional differences, Ohio River demand, and what farmers should watch heading into June grain markets.

AgCast 219: Why Profitable Farms Still Run Out of Cash

Farm profitability and cash flow are not the same thing — and many operations are feeling the pressure. In this episode of the Commercial AgCast, John Maman of Nutrien Financial discusses operating lines, financing strategies, input decisions, and how strong farms maintain flexibility during tighter margins.

Land Value Expectations Differ Among Farmers

Land values are influencing investment timing, financial outlook, and risk decisions on farms across the Midwest.

Comparing Corn Production Costs and Returns in the United States and Brazil

Brazil’s rise in corn production is reshaping global competition for U.S. producers. This analysis compares corn production costs, revenues, and profitability between Iowa and Mato Grosso farms from 2020–2024, highlighting how Brazil’s second-crop corn system lowers fixed costs while exposing farmers to greater fertilizer dependence and weather risk.

Basis Gains Slow as Historically Suggested Volatility Looms

Corn and soybean basis strengthened across much of the Eastern Corn Belt through late April and early May, though gains slowed significantly in recent weeks. Purdue’s May 2026 Basis Update examines regional basis differences, historical trends, and what producers may expect as volatility potentially increases heading into June.

Cutting Herbicide Costs? Here’s the Risk Farmers Miss

Herbicide program costs across Indiana vary widely due to differences in geography, weed pressure, and resistance management. In this Purdue Commercial AgBrief, Madisen Carns and Chad Fiechter explain how farmers are adapting weed control strategies across northern, central, and southern Indiana. The video highlights the growing importance of residual herbicides, layered programs, and long-term resistance management in protecting profitability and reducing operational risk.

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