Top Farmer Conference: January 5, 2024

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General Farm Management & Strategy

Farmer Sentiment Improves, Producers Credit Stronger Financial Conditions

Agricultural producers’ sentiment increased for the second consecutive month, as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer index rose 5 points to a reading of 115, a 12% increase compared to the previous year. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier share some insight into the results of the October 2023 Ag Economy Barometer survey on this Purdue Commercial AgCast episode.

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Prospects for Swine Feed Costs in 2024

Indiana corn prices have dropped sharply since September. The most recent WASDE report indicates that corn prices could remain low for the foreseeable future. Obviously, lower expected corn prices will translate into lower expected feed costs during the first part of 2024. What trends in feed costs will we see for 2024? And what’s the impact of corn and soybean meal prices on feed costs for farrow-to-finish and swine finishing operations?

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Farmer Sentiment Rises as Producers Report Improved Financial Conditions On Their Farms

The Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose 4 points in October to a reading of 110. The modest improvement in farmer sentiment resulted from farmers’ improved perspective on current conditions on their farms as well as their expectations for the future. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier share some insight into the results of the October 2023 Ag Economy Barometer survey on this Purdue Commercial AgCast episode.

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Cattle Outlook

Slidedeck presentation by James Mintert given at the Livestock Marketing Information Center’s Industry Outlook Conference on October 25, 2023.

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Impact of Lower Corn Prices On Feeding Cost of Gain for Cattle Finishing

Corn prices have declined substantially since the first half of this year. This article examined the impact of higher corn prices on feeding cost of gain for cattle finishing.

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Trends in General Inflation and Farm Input Prices

Most of the recent discussion involving input price changes in U.S. production agriculture has focused on fertilizer prices, which have declined during the last few months. Other inputs have not necessarily experienced this decline in prices.

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Corn and Soybean Basis Weaken as Harvest Heats Up

As harvest heats up across the Midwest corn and soybean basis have been weakening. Weakening basis during harvest is typical of seasonal basis patterns. Therefore, to give context to current basis levels it is helpful to compare them to historical basis levels.

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Agility and Producer Sentiment

Survey of U.S. farmers reveals how a farm’s agility relates to farm growth. Respondents were asked if they had established goals, objectives, and core values; whether their farm looked for opportunities that new enterprises may provide; whether they regularly assessed their advantages and disadvantages compared to other farms.

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Weakening Crop Prices and High Production Costs Weigh on Farmer Sentiment

Agricultural producers’ sentiment declined for the second month in a row during September as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer fell 9 points to a reading of 106. This month’s Ag Economy Barometer survey was conducted from September 11-15, 2023.

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Absorption Capacity and Producer Sentiment

Survey of U.S. farmers reveals how absorption capacity drives farm growth and resilience. Respondents were asked if they had low per unit fixed costs, a diversified enterprise mix, and a strong balance sheet.

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