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General Farm Management & Strategy
Farmer sentiment dipped again in August as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index fell 10 points to 125. Producers were markedly less optimistic about the future in August as the Index of Future Expectations dropped 16 points to 123. This was the lowest reading for the future index since last September. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier share insights into the results of the August 2025 survey, conducted from August 11-15, in this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast.
Read MoreMichael Langemeier presented at the Pinney Purdue Field Day in Wanatah, Indiana on August 20, 2025, on crop net returns and the farmland market.
Read MoreExamine breakeven prices, earnings per acre, breakeven cash rents, and trends in working capital with this spreadsheet tool.
Read MoreNeed help setting a fair flexible lease agreement? This easy-to-use spreadsheet lets you plug in your own numbers—like crop budget line items, yields, and prices—to calculate lease rates and earnings per acre. Whether you’re negotiating a new agreement or comparing alternative, this tool helps take the guesswork out.
Read MoreExplore how different lease types—from crop share to flexible cash leases—impact risk and returns for both landowners and tenants. This analysis uses real Indiana data to compare a fixed cash rent lease, a crop share lease, and eight flexible cash lease arrangements, helping you evaluate which structure fits your farm’s goals. Flex leases with base rent and bonuses are gaining traction—see why they may be a smart alternative to fixed cash rent.
Read MoreLeases on agricultural land are strongly influenced by local custom and tradition. Compare net returns to land derived from crop share, fixed cash rent, and flexible cash lease arrangements.
Read MoreCompare crop share and flexible cash lease agreements from a landowners perspective for almost 20 years (2007–2025). See bonus payment trends for flexible leases, year-by-year comparisons of net return, and which lease offers more protection in volatile years.
Read MoreFarmer sentiment continues to weaken, as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer declined again in July. The barometer fell 11 points to 135 from June, a reading that resulted from U.S. farmers’ weaker perceptions of both current conditions and future expectations. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier share insights into the results of the July 2025 survey, conducted from July 7-11, in this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast.
Read MoreHow do farm goals shape conservation decisions? This analysis draws on a nationwide survey of 400 producers to explore how priorities like profitability, risk, and sustainability impact the adoption of practices like no-till, cover crops, and crop diversification. Farmers who rank conservation as a top goal are significantly more likely to implement these practices—offering a window into what drives long-term thinking in farm management.
Read MoreNeed help setting a fair lease rate for pasture or hay ground? This easy-to-use spreadsheet lets you plug in your own numbers—like stocking rates, hay yields, and land quality—to calculate a lease rate that works for both landlord and tenant. Whether you’re negotiating a new agreement or checking current rates, this tool helps take the guesswork out.
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