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
Mike Knotts with the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association joined us with the latest on storm impacts, power restoration, and safety considerations following the ice storm.
Brooks York with AgriSompo joined us with his outlook on crop insurance and risk management following the recent winter storm that tore through most of the United States, including the Midwest.
Payment totals alone do not show financial stress — production costs and net losses complete the picture.
Year-round E15 remains on the table, but procedural caution and competing regional interests pushed action into a slower, negotiated path.
A mid-January winter storm delivered snow, ice, and extreme cold to a broad swath of the U.S., disrupting transportation, stressing livestock systems, and adding cost and complexity to winter farm operations as producers look toward spring.
Heavier weights and strong late-year slaughter supported December production, but lower annual totals highlight ongoing supply tightness heading into 2026.