Banks focusing on agriculture loans are reporting higher profits recently.
Researchers at the University of Illinois crunched the numbers and found that ag banks on average have a return on assets at 1.07 percent, which is compared to non-ag banks at 1.03 percent.
They also found ag banks are more efficient, too, with the efficiency ratio up several points during the fourth quarter.
Related Stories
Demand for farm loans surged in the first quarter of the year, topping the previous record set in 2016.
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer says the labor program will now be fully under her department, and consolidation will make the program more affordable and efficient for farmers and ranchers.