At the end of 2019, fed cattle prices were $122.00. This increase in fed cattle prices had a large impact on cattle finishing profitability in the fourth quarter of 2019. Moreover, fed cattle prices are predicted to remain strong through at least the second quarter of 2020.

Corn prices have been quite volatile in 2019. Corn prices in Indiana were approximately $3.70 per bushel in April, $4.55 in July, and $3.90 in December. Given the uncertainty regarding what gets planted to large amount of acres that were not planted in 2019 (i.e., prevent plant acres), corn prices are likely to also be volatile in 2020.

Using Indiana cash prices reported by USDA-NASS, the soybean to corn price ratio was quite variable in 2019 ranging from 1.93 in July to 2.37 in January. This leads to two important questions. How common or uncommon is it for this ratio to be substantially above or below the long-run average? Does a low or high ratio signal a change in the relative profitability between corn and soybeans?

This survey provides a useful glimpse into the farm data lifecycle from collection to action to evaluation. We find that among large commercial corn and soybean operations, data collection is common (92% collect at least one type of farm data) and that collection is strongly related to farm characteristics.

We've compiled a few resources to aid in your Farm Bill 2020 decisions.

Monday, February 24, 2020 at 12:30 p.m. (EST) | Join us online, it's free! Purdue agricultural economists, Michael Langemeier and James Mintert will discuss 2020 crop insurance choices and provide insight into decision making for corn and soybean farmers.

Recorded January 16, 2020 | Purdue agricultural economists, Michael Langemeier and James Mintert, and Kaitlin Myers, State Agricultural Program Specialist from USDA’s Indiana Farm Service Agency, discuss options for enrolling your farm in the 2018 Farm Bill program. Slides, the video recording, and the University of Illinois spreadsheet tool presented during the webinar are available.

Farm Bill webinar slidedeck presentation by Michael Langemeier and James Mintert, and Kaitlin Myers, State Agricultural Program Specialist from USDA’s Indiana Farm Service Agency. A discussion on options for enrolling your farm in the 2018 Farm Bill program by the March 15, 2020 deadline.

Index Numbers of Indiana Farm Real Estate Values, January 2020 update. Compiled by Craig Dobbins and J.H. Atkinson, Purdue Agricultural Economics.

Top Farmer 2020 pre-conference workshop by John Hewlett, Ranch/Farm Management Specialist, University of Wyoming and Jay Parson, Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Link to the Right Risk Ag Survivor online workshop.

Top Farmer 2020 slidedeck presentation by Chad Hart, Associate Professor of Economics, Iowa State University. Examine the current outlook for corn and soybeans, but also take a longer view of what’s ahead for the U.S. ag economy and the management implications for the next several years.

Top Farmer 2020 slidedeck presentation by Todd Kuethe, Associate Professor, Schrader Endowed Chair in Farmland Economics, Explore recent trends in farmland markets in Indiana and across the Corn Belt and closely examine returns to farmland, the cost of capital, and both the short-run and long-term prospects for farmland prices.

Top Farmer 2020 slidedeck presentation by Shalamar Armstrong, Assistant Professor of Agronomy, Purdue University and Nathanael Thompson, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University. An update on research that evaluates the agronomic, economic, and environmental impacts of using cover crops in Corn Belt corn-soybean rotations.

Top Farmer 2020 slidedeck presentation by Robert Nielsen, Professor & Corn Specialist, Department of Agronomy. A review of what took place during 2019 and what can be learned that can be applied to your corn production plans for 2020.

Top Farmer 2020 slidedeck presentation by Shaun Casteel, Associate Professor & Soybean Specialist, Department of Agronomy. A review of what took place during 2019 and what can be learned that can be applied to your soybean production plans for 2020.