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Crops
Margins remain tight for 2026. Purdue’s latest crop budget estimates show soybean rotations maintaining a contribution margin advantage over corn, while breakeven prices for both crops remain well above expected market prices. Negative projected earnings could slow machinery purchases and put pressure on cash rents, making careful cost management and crop budgeting essential.
Read MoreFarm income in Indiana gets a boost in 2025, but 2026 projections show renewed financial pressure. Here’s what’s driving receipts, expenses, and net income.
Read MoreAre autonomous machines financially competitive on today’s farms? Purdue research analyzes the real economics — from labor costs to hardware and subscription fees — and what it will take for autonomy to make sense at scale.
Read MoreCorn and soybean basis levels have improved across much of the Eastern Corn Belt in early 2026, though large regional differences remain. Learn what’s driving basis strength—and how to track your local opportunities using Purdue’s Crop Basis Tool.
Read MoreMichael Langemeier presented at the Fort Wayne Farm Show on January 14, 2026, on crop net returns prospects and the farmland market.
Read MoreTight margins often trigger cost-cutting decisions, but not all cuts improve profitability. This article explains how marginal analysis can help producers evaluate fertilizer, seed, and seeding rate decisions to protect returns when prices are low.
Read MoreLocal corn basis across the Eastern Corn Belt has become more volatile, with regions like Indiana and Ohio showing continued strength to March futures, while parts of Illinois have seen weakening. In contrast, soybean basis has stabilized and remains below recent averages in much of the region. Historical patterns suggest basis volatility may ease as we head into the new year — but mixed signals from certain areas warrant close monitoring. Full regional breakdowns and charts are available in the complete article.
Read MoreMichael Langemeier presented in Vincennes, Indiana on December 11, 2025, on crop net returns prospects.
Read MoreCorn and soybean basis have strengthened post-harvest in the Eastern Corn Belt, particularly in Indiana and Ohio, while Iowa lags behind. As winter sets in, historical patterns suggest basis levels will stabilize — but regional deviations highlight the importance of local tracking.
Read MoreDespite the headline deal between the U.S. and China on soybeans, the numbers show a different story. The 12 million-ton commitment for 2025 remains below recent norms, while Brazil and Argentina surged ahead in China’s market. For producers focused on scale, margins, and global competition, the implications are clear: tariff concerns remain, diversification matters, and South America is an emerging force.
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