Top Farmer Conference: January 10, 2025

As one of the most successful and longest-running management programs specifically crafted for farmers, the Purdue Top Farmer Conference is a one-day event for agricultural producers and agribusiness professionals looking to navigate the complexities of today's agricultural landscape. Participants will have the opportunity to network with peers and hear from farm management experts and agricultural economists from Purdue, Farm Credit Services of America, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Acres, a land value data analytics company.

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General Farm Management & Strategy

U.S Farmer Sentiment Stable As Inflation Expectations Subside

U.S. farmers’ sentiment changed very little in December compared to the preceding month. The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer recorded a reading of 114, just one point lower than a month earlier. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier share some insight into the results of the December 2023 Ag Economy Barometer survey on this Purdue Commercial AgCast episode.

USDA Farm Income Forecast, December Update

Curious about the outlook for farm incomes in the coming year? Join host Brady Brewer in this podcast episode with Purdue ag economist Michael Langemeier as they discuss farm income projections outlined in USDA’s December Farm Income Forecast. Michael shares producer perspectives from the Ag Economy Barometer and takes a closer look on an Indiana case farm.

Farmer Sentiment Improves, Producers Credit Stronger Financial Conditions

Agricultural producers’ sentiment increased for the second consecutive month, as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer index rose 5 points to a reading of 115, a 12% increase compared to the previous year. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier share some insight into the results of the October 2023 Ag Economy Barometer survey on this Purdue Commercial AgCast episode.

Prospects for Swine Feed Costs in 2024

Indiana corn prices have dropped sharply since September. The most recent WASDE report indicates that corn prices could remain low for the foreseeable future. Obviously, lower expected corn prices will translate into lower expected feed costs during the first part of 2024. What trends in feed costs will we see for 2024? And what’s the impact of corn and soybean meal prices on feed costs for farrow-to-finish and swine finishing operations?

Top Farmer Conference 2024

January 5, 2024

A management programs geared specifically for farmers. Surrounded by farm management, farm policy, agricultural finance and marketing experts, and a group of your peers, the conference will stimulate your thinking about agriculture’s future and how you can position your farm to be successful in the years ahead.

Farmer Sentiment Rises as Producers Report Improved Financial Conditions On Their Farms

The Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose 4 points in October to a reading of 110. The modest improvement in farmer sentiment resulted from farmers’ improved perspective on current conditions on their farms as well as their expectations for the future. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier share some insight into the results of the October 2023 Ag Economy Barometer survey on this Purdue Commercial AgCast episode.

Cattle Outlook

Slidedeck presentation by James Mintert given at the Livestock Marketing Information Center’s Industry Outlook Conference on October 25, 2023.

Impact of Lower Corn Prices On Feeding Cost of Gain for Cattle Finishing

Corn prices have declined substantially since the first half of this year. This article examined the impact of higher corn prices on feeding cost of gain for cattle finishing.

Trends in General Inflation and Farm Input Prices

Most of the recent discussion involving input price changes in U.S. production agriculture has focused on fertilizer prices, which have declined during the last few months. Other inputs have not necessarily experienced this decline in prices.

Corn and Soybean Basis Weaken as Harvest Heats Up

As harvest heats up across the Midwest corn and soybean basis have been weakening. Weakening basis during harvest is typical of seasonal basis patterns. Therefore, to give context to current basis levels it is helpful to compare them to historical basis levels.

Center for Commercial Agriculture