Despite a shaky economy, commercial ag lenders say they have been having a good run lately.
Analysts with the University of Illinois found in the fourth quarter of last year, commercial banks specializing in ag lending reported a higher return on average assets. They also found they are more cost-efficient than non-ag banks.
The banking sector is still resilient overall, but Fed Chair Jerome Powell warns the outlook is uncertain because of high inflation.
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Dr. Ernie Goss joined us to break down the latest Rural Main Street Index, discuss pressures on farm finances and equipment sales, and share expectations for the ag economy ahead.
The spending bill keeps animal health and traceability funding in place while trimming several other USDA accounts.
New farm payment rules allow LLC members to have separate limits, but some local FSA offices are still applying outdated policies, creating confusion for producers.
March brought better prices for several commodities, but rising fuel and feed costs kept margins under pressure.
Farmers still earn only a small share of consumer food spending, even as post-farm costs continue to take most of the dollar.
Corn and cotton gave the strongest signals this week, while soybean demand remained softer than in the previous report.
