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General Farm Management & Strategy

Cutting Herbicide Costs? Here’s the Risk Farmers Miss

Herbicide program costs across Indiana vary widely due to differences in geography, weed pressure, and resistance management. In this Purdue Commercial AgBrief, Madisen Carns and Chad Fiechter explain how farmers are adapting weed control strategies across northern, central, and southern Indiana. The video highlights the growing importance of residual herbicides, layered programs, and long-term resistance management in protecting profitability and reducing operational risk.

Examining Tradeoffs between Conservation and Profitability

Conservation practices can improve soil health, reduce erosion, and lower greenhouse gas emissions—but they also create important profitability tradeoffs for commercial farms. This article explores how farms can evaluate competing goals such as conservation, profitability, and risk management using scenario analysis and long-run planning tools. Comparing practices like no-till, cover crops, and adding winter wheat to rotations, the analysis highlights why some conservation practices gain wider adoption than others and why long-term benefits often matter more than short-term economics.

AgCast 218: Farmer Sentiment Is Falling Amid Higher Input Costs

Farmer sentiment declined in April—the pressure on the farm economy is intensifying. In this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast, Joana Colussi and Michael Langemeier break down the April 2026 Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. We go beyond the report to unpack what’s happening behind the data—why costs are rising, how it’s affecting break-even prices and investment decisions, and where ag economists see the farm economy heading into 2026/27.

Farmer Sentiment Declines | Input Costs, Risk & 2026 Outlook

Farmer sentiment rose sharply in March, with the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer increasing 11 points as future expectations improved. Yet nearly 70% of producers still say it’s a bad time to invest, citing ongoing pressure from high input costs and weak output prices.

Farmer Sentiment Declines in April Amid Input Costs and Availability Concerns

Farmer sentiment declined in April with the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, falling from 127 in March to 121. The drop reflects weaker confidence in current conditions, declining expectations for future performance, and continued concerns about input costs, availability, and global uncertainty. The Farm Capital Investment Index also fell to its lowest level since October 2024, signaling reduced willingness to make large investments. With two-thirds of producers expecting lower farm income in 2026 and many anticipating higher corn break-even prices, the report highlights growing financial pressure across U.S. agriculture.

Indiana Herbicide Program Costs Through the Lens of Geography

Herbicide program costs across Indiana vary significantly by region, ranging from approximately $49 to over $62 per acre. These differences are driven by geographic variation in weed pressure, herbicide resistance, and environmental conditions. Northern Indiana faces higher resistance pressure, leading to more intensive and costly programs, while central and southern regions balance flexibility, emergence patterns, and operational risk. Understanding these regional dynamics is critical for managing both short-term costs and long-term weed control effectiveness.

AgCast 217: Why Ducks Are More Valuable Than Crops in the Delta, Lessons from the Delta, Part 8

Rice farming in the Delta reveals how water, wildlife, and profitability intersect. This final episode explores groundwater challenges, duck habitat value, and how farmers are adapting systems for long-term sustainability.

AgCast 216: How Rice Farmers Cut $31/Acre Water Costs, Lessons from the Delta, Part 7

Lessons From the Delta continues — this time from the edge of a 120-acre on-farm reservoir. In Part 7 of the Purdue Commercial AgCast mini-series, Chad Fiechter and Todd Kuethe visit a rice farm in Arkansas to understand how farmers are managing water, labor, and costs in ways that look very different from the Midwest.

Farmer Sentiment Jumps in March 2026 (+11 Points) | Ag Economy Barometer

AgCast 215: Farm Sentiment Is Up… So Why Are Farmers Still Worried?

In this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast, Joana Colussi and Michael Langemeier break down the March 2026 Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. Despite rising input costs and global uncertainty tied to geopolitical conflict, farmer sentiment moved higher—driven in part by stronger crop prices and government payments.

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General Farm Management & Strategy

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