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General Farm Management & Strategy
The February 2026 Ag Economy Barometer reveals a sharp divergence in sentiment between crop and livestock producers, with livestock farms reporting substantially stronger confidence. Despite differences in current outlook and capital investment sentiment, long-term growth expectations and transition planning remain similar across farm types, highlighting continued focus on expansion and generational transfer.
Read MoreIn this episode of Purdue Commercial AgCast, Joana Colussi and Michael Langemeier discuss the February 2026 Purdue University–CME Group Ag Economy Barometer results. They share insights on the growing divide between crop and livestock sentiment, capital investment hesitation, farmland value expectations, farm growth trends, and what these signals mean for 2026 decision-making.
Read MoreFarmer sentiment improved in February as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index rose from 113 points in January to 116. The Current Conditions Index increased by 11 points, while the Future Expectations Index dropped 1 point. Although concerns about agricultural exports moderated somewhat from the previous month, they are still higher than those expressed in December. In addition, the percentage of respondents who think the U.S. is headed in the “right direction” declined for the second month in a row.
Read MoreIn Part 2 of the Lessons From the Delta series, Chad Fiechter and Todd Kuethe speak with Aaron Shew about farmland valuation, land market transparency, and rice payment systems. The discussion explores how limited sales data, capital intensity, and milling economics shape risk and long-term farm business decisions.
Read MoreMichael Langemeier presented at the Ag Engage Conference in Bloomington on February 19, 2026, on valuing sweat equity and adding a person to the farm.
Read MoreIn this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast, we launch a new mini-series: Lessons From the Delta. After traveling to Arkansas and the Mississippi Delta region, Chad Fiechter and Todd Kuethe share what stood out most about crop diversity, irrigation intensity, farm structure, and regional economics.
Read MoreUSDA’s first 2026 Farm Income and Wealth Statistics release provides an early look at the U.S. farm balance sheet heading into the next production cycle. Farm assets and equity are projected to grow at the slowest pace since 2019–2020, while farm debt accumulation accelerates for the third time in four years. Non-real estate assets are expected to decline, driven by reductions in livestock and crop inventories, even as machinery investment continues rising. Key efficiency ratios remain near historic lows, signaling tighter production returns relative to asset values.
Read MoreFarm income in Indiana gets a boost in 2025, but 2026 projections show renewed financial pressure. Here’s what’s driving receipts, expenses, and net income.
Read MoreFarmer sentiment dropped sharply to start 2026, reflecting growing economic concerns across U.S. agriculture. But beyond the headline decline in the Purdue/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, this episode focuses on what the shift signals for farm financial stress, investment decisions,
Read MoreAre autonomous machines financially competitive on today’s farms? Purdue research analyzes the real economics — from labor costs to hardware and subscription fees — and what it will take for autonomy to make sense at scale.
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