Brant Caley, an expert in ag tech, discusses his journey, from playing FFA basketball to working with companies like Trimble, Farmers Business Network (FBN), and now Gradable on this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast. The discussion covers the evolution of farm technology, sustainability in grain marketing, the future of agricultural technology – and the potential impact of emerging technologies like AI and LLMs.

On Tuesday, the August WASDE report was released, which significantly increased the projected 25/26 corn supply and decreased the soybean supply. There were immediate effects in the futures market. September and December corn futures dropped by $0.13/bu, and September and November soybean futures increased by $0.21/bu. As we approach harvest, it is yet to be seen how this will affect the new crop basis.

Examine breakeven prices, earnings per acre, breakeven cash rents, and trends in working capital with this spreadsheet tool.

Need 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.

Explore 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.

Choosing a farmland lease is about more than agreeing on a rental rate—it’s about balancing return potential with risk. This article compares crop share, fixed cash rent, and flexible cash lease arrangements, examining how each has performed through changing market conditions and highlighting practical considerations for future lease negotiations.

Compare 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.

Farmer 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.

How 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.

Need 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.

Leasing pasture or hay ground? Rates can vary widely—and getting it right means understanding stocking rates, land quality, and what services are included. This guide breaks it all down with real examples and a spreadsheet you can use to run the numbers for your own operation. If you’re negotiating a lease this year, don’t miss these tips to make sure it pencils out.

One-third of recently surveyed farmers identified farm transfer as their top goal, but priorities like profit, conservation, debt reduction, and income stability also ranked high. The study reveals that most farms pursue a mix of goals, and understanding the tradeoffs between them can lead to better long-term business decisions. Take time to define your farm’s goals—and use them to shape long-term business decisions.

Nate Kaufman, Omaha Branch Executive of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, joins hosts Todd Kuethe and Chad Fiechter in this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast. Kaufman explains the structure and function of the Federal Reserve System, including the roles of the Board of Governors, the 12 regional reserve banks, and their respective branch offices, and shares how monetary policy is set and the importance of regional input in policy decisions.