A new Purdue Commercial AgBrief explores what sets growth-oriented farms apart—from investment confidence to risk tolerance.

Increasing financial leverage will increase expected returns as long the marginal returns from the use of loans exceed the cost of borrowing. In favorable economic times, higher leverage can improve financial performance and stimulate farm growth. However, in unfavorable economic times, leverage can cause business performance to deteriorate rapidly. Thus, higher leverage may increase expected returns and financial risk.

Cattle finishing is a tight margin business where profitability relies on feeder cattle prices relative to fed cattle prices and feed costs. This means that relatively high fed cattle prices, like we are experiencing in 2026, or relatively low feed costs do not necessarily translate into strong net returns. This article examines trends in feeding cost of gain, breakeven prices, and net returns for the last ten years.

Farm equipment markets are constantly changing, but what can auction data tell us about where agriculture is headed? In this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast, hosts Chad Fiechter and Todd Kuethe are joined by Andy Campbell, co-founder of TractorZoom, to discuss how data is reshaping equipment markets and the decisions farmers make every day.

Organic crops often generate higher profits—but that doesn’t mean every organic farm succeeds. In this Purdue Commercial AgBrief, Purdue ag economist Michael Langemeier analyzes five years of FINBIN enterprise data to compare the profitability of conventional and organic crop production.

More than 100 farmers, agribusiness professionals, and industry partners gathered in Harrison County on Friday, July 10, for the 2026 Purdue Farm Management Tour. Hosted by Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture and Purdue Extension, the annual event gave attendees an opportunity to step away from their own operations and learn directly from two Indiana farm families who are navigating today’s agricultural challenges through innovation, diversification, and thoughtful management.

Corn and soybean basis continued strengthening across much of the Eastern Corn Belt through mid-July, although some local markets have already begun to soften. See where basis is strongest, where it’s weakening, and what seasonal trends suggest for the weeks ahead.

Every month, the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer surveys U.S. farmers about the issues shaping their operations and outlook. Michael Langemeier breaks down the June 2026 survey results and explains what they reveal about producer sentiment, farm profitability, land values, artificial intelligence, input costs, equipment investment, trade, and the broader agricultural economy.

Producers continued to express concern about farm finances as the June Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer recorded a 6-point decline in farmer sentiment to 113.

Leases on agricultural land are strongly influenced by local custom and tradition. However, in most areas, landowners and operators can choose from several types of lease arrangements: crop share, fixed cash rent, flexible cash leases. Each leasing arrangement has advantages and disadvantages. Rather than focusing on the advantages and disadvantages of various lease arrangements, this article uses a case farm in west central Indiana to illustrate net returns to land derived from crop share, fixed cash rent, and flexible cash lease arrangements.

Corn and soybean basis strengthened across much of the Eastern Corn Belt over the past month — a surprising shift from the typical seasonal pattern of basis weakening heading into June. Josh Strine breaks down the latest corn and soybean basis trends, how current basis levels compare with historical averages, and what strengthening basis could mean for grain marketing decisions heading into July.

Cover crops offer potential soil health benefits, but adoption decisions involve tradeoffs. Learn how scenario analysis can help farmers evaluate the impact of cover crops on profitability, risk, and long-term farm goals.

Brazil, the world’s largest soybean producer and a major corn exporter, is facing a more complicated production outlook for the 2027 crop year. Low commodity prices, high fertilizer costs, tighter credit conditions, and El Niño conditions, already present and expected to strengthen later this year, are all weighing production prospects. In this Purdue Commercial AgBrief, Joana Colussi looks at the key factors that could influence Brazil’s next crop season, and what it could mean for U.S. corn and soybean producers.