Ag Economy Barometer Drops After Recent Highs

“Uncertainty with respect to the level of support they could expect from USDA going forward.”

The latest ag economy barometer dropped this morning, showing a weakening farmers’ sentiment.

Farmer sentiment fell in June to 146, down 12 points compared to last month’s high. The decline has been attributed to producer concerns surrounding agricultural exports, with few optimistic about the future.

Despite declines, all three indices in the report remained well above year-ago levels.

Purdue University Professor of Ag Economics, Dr. Jim Mintert spoke with RFD-TV’s Suzanne Alexander about what drove the drop, how this compares to previous years, and what to expect moving forward.

Related Stories
Margin Protection and the new MCO add county-level margin tools — with earlier price discovery, input cost triggers, and high subsidy rates — to complement on-farm risk plans for 2026.
For aging operators and their rural neighbors, staying socially engaged is a practical strategy to preserve decision-making capacity and farm vitality.
Sen. Roger Marshall explains which types of beef are imported into the United States, how there’s room for new imports, and logical reasons for current high prices.
U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) discusses the USDA’s new cattle plan, ethanol policy, and the broader challenges ahead for rural America.
Expanding bioethanol use strengthens rural economies, supports farm markets, and positions U.S. agriculture at the center of global low-carbon trade.
“President Trump Undercuts America’s Cattle Producers,” says NCBA