USDA’s index of prices paid and received was mixed for the month of April. Farmers made more than in March, but also paid a little less.
On the year, the prices received index dropped 2.2 percent while the prices paid index jumped 1.5 percent, reflecting a mixed farm economy.
The index of prices received was up 1.9 percent on the month, the third consecutive monthly increase. Gains in cattle, broilers, lettuce, and broccoli canceled out losses in hogs, milk, market eggs, and apples.
The index of prices paid was down 0.2 percent on the month. A decrease in cost for feeder pigs, wages, complete feeds, and nitrogen offset increases in feeder cattle, hay and forages, gasoline, and LP gas.
