The latest Ag Economy Barometer has been released and it shows that farmer sentiment has improved as interest rate expectations shift.
The barometer improved in March, pushing the reading up 3 points to a reading of 114. The Index of Current Conditions came in 2 points below last month at 101.
While the Index of Future Expectations climbed to 120, 5 points higher than in February.
That split was driven primarily by farmers’ perception of their financial condition and how they expect that to improve over the next year.
Farm Financial Performance was down 1 point at a reading of 83.
Purdue University Professor of Ag Economics, Dr. Jim Mintert spoke with RFD-TV’s own Tammi Arender on contributing factors to the shift, his big takeaways, and what to expect moving forward.
Cotton growers can use the survey to compare nutrient, herbicide, and pest-management practices against national production benchmarks.
Drought and Planting Shape Weekly State Agriculture Recap
Brad Anderson with AARP joined us to preview AARP Live and discuss the importance of disaster preparedness and family planning.
USDA officials are increasing surveillance and sterile fly dispersal efforts as New World screwworm cases continue growing in Mexico near the Texas border.
Firefighters continue battling multiple wildfires across southwest Kansas as drought conditions fuel fire danger and raise concerns about additional cattle herd liquidation.
Dave Walton with the American Soybean Association joins us to discuss China’s new ag purchase commitments, E15 policy concerns, and spring planting conditions.
