You're viewing a specific archive. Looking for something and want to search by keyword or just take a general look at ALL our resources? Click Search below!
Search our entire resource library
Crops
Farmers across Brazil have begun planting the 2025/26 crop season, with expectations for another record in corn and soybean acreage. The first outlook for the new cycle, released by the National Supply Company (Conab), Brazil’s food supply and statistics agency,
Read MoreAs corn and soybean harvest progress across the country, recent basis movements have pushed nearby basis levels above their historical averages in much of the Eastern Corn Belt. Typically, basis weakens through harvest, with nearby basis levels often bottoming out between mid-October and November. This marketing year, however, corn and soybean basis began below the two- and three-year averages, respectively, and recent movement has flipped the relationship in many USDA crop reporting districts.
Read MoreGiven the large difference in prices received and projected net return prospects, it is not surprising to find a large difference in producer sentiment between crop and livestock producers in the August 2025 Ag Economy Barometer survey. In addition to differences in producer sentiment, larger percentages of crop producers expected to have larger operating loans in 2026, listed unpaid operator debt from the prior year as a reason for those larger loans, and were financially stressed.
Read MoreJim Jansen from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, joins Michael Langemeier on this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast to discuss cash rent considerations for irrigation, pasture, and hay leases. They provide factors affecting cash rent including maintenance costs, insurance, and land productivity and emphasize the importance of clear lease agreements. Offering practical advice for both landlords and operators on fair rental agreements.
Read MoreThe U.S. soybean harvest began in September without any orders from the world’s largest buyer: China. American producers are harvesting a crop the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates at 4.3 billion bushels, and there is no indication of when shipments to China will resume. In a typical year, China buys more than half of all U.S. soybean exports. Meanwhile, Brazil set a record for shipments to China from January through August 2025. In this article, we present U.S. and Brazilian soybean trade flows to China during the last two years, analyze the trade relationship between these countries dating back to before the first round of the 2018 trade war, and consider the possible consequences if a trade deal is not reached this fall.
Read MoreThe 2026 Purdue Crop Cost and Return Guide provides estimated costs and net returns for planting, growing, and harvesting corn, soybeans, and wheat in the upcoming year. Cost and return information presents information for low, average, and high productivity soils. Early projections point to slightly higher breakeven prices.
Read MoreFor much of the 2024-2025 marketing year, the basis for both corn and soybeans looked much different than their historical averages. Both crops started well below what previous trends would suggest.
Read MorePurdue 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.
Read MoreFor 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.
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 More