Purdue ag economists Todd Kuethe and Michael Langemeier discuss Indiana farmland cash rental rates on this, the second of two episodes reviewing the 2025 Purdue Farmland Values and Cash Rental Rates survey results. The survey shows Indiana cash rents continue to rise by about one and a half percent. The episode shares historical trends in cash rents, and how cash rents compare to share and flex lease rents, regional differences, net returns to land, and the increasing interest in flexible cash leases from both landowner and tenant perspectives.

For a state such as Indiana, which is heavily reliant on corn and soybean receipts, the latest USDA-ERS net farm income forecast seems counter-intuitive. After two strong net farm income years in 2021 and 2022, net farm income has been below average for crop farms. Current projections for 2025 and 2026 suggest that net farm income will remain below average through at least 2026.

Purdue ag economists Todd Kuethe and Michael Langemeier as they discuss Indiana farmland values on this, the first of two episodes reviewing the 2025 Purdue Farmland Values and Cash Rental Rates survey results. The survey shows Indiana land prices continue to rise and are anticipated to continue a modest increase for the rest of 2025 for most of the state.

Midwest crop producers have experienced a significant downturn in corn, soybean, and wheat prices since late 2023, resulting in a drop in net returns in 2024. Moreover, current expectations are that prices will continue to remain at or below the cost of production for at least a couple more years. Consequently, a key question being asked is as follows: “Who is the most vulnerable financially during this downturn”?

This article presents results from a recent survey pertaining to farm goals, and discusses the relationships between farm growth, farm goals, producer sentiment, and farm characteristics.

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.

Michael Langemeier presented at the Pinney Purdue Field Day in Wanatah, Indiana on August 20, 2025, on crop net returns and the farmland market.

Indiana farmland prices have continued the trend of record highs in 2025, according to the latest Purdue Farmland Value and Cash Rents Survey results. The average price of top-quality farmland reached $14,826 per acre, a 3.0% increase from June 2024. Statewide, cash rents increased from 1.5 to 1.7% for poor-, average-, and top-quality land.

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.