NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — Small-business sentiment dipped in October, and the cracks show up first in ag towns. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Optimism Index eased to 98.2 (still a tick above its 52-year average). At the same time, uncertainty fell sharply — a reminder that sentiment is cooling even as owners gain a bit more clarity.
For rural America, where equipment dealers, feed suppliers, truckers, welders, and Main Street shops power farm country, softer sales and thin margins are tightening the screws on the services that producers rely on.
Under the hood, labor quality topped the worry list: 32 percent reported unfilled openings, and 27 percent named labor quality as their number-one problem —the highest since 2021. Sales momentum weakened (net −13 percent over three months) and profit trends deteriorated (net −25 percent), even as fewer firms raised prices (net 21 percent) and planned hikes eased. Capital outlays were anemic (23 percent of the plan’s six-month spending), borrowing slipped to 23 percent, and the average short-term loan rate hovered near 8.7 percent. Supply-chain pressure continued to ease, but it still affected 60 percent of firms.
For farm-adjacent businesses, that mix points to tighter staffing, cautious inventories, and selective investment — conditions that can lengthen repair queues, delay parts, and temper custom-work capacity. Producers may see steadier posted prices locally, but a thinner service bench and slower turnaround times as Main Street rides out slower sales and higher financing costs.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Rural businesses report softer sales, tougher hiring, and restrained investment — a backdrop that can pinch farm support capacity even if posted prices cool.
Tony St. James, RFD-TV Markets Specialist
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to discuss the implications for farmers.
October 30, 2025 02:37 PM
·
RFD-TV tax expert Roger McEowen discusses the renewed tax provision and how cattle producers can take advantage of it to recover investments in heifer retention and herd expansion more quickly.
October 30, 2025 01:23 PM
·
U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) shares his perspective on the U.S.-China trade developments and their potential impact on American producers, farmers, and ranchers.
October 30, 2025 12:56 PM
·
With core input inflation still hovering high, growers and retailers should plan pricing and promotions with tighter margins in mind — target early sales, leverage bundle deals, and secure logistics ahead of peak Halloween demand.
October 30, 2025 10:54 AM
·
Prepare for softer milk checks into winter, watch cull-cow values and timing, and stress-test cash flow as product prices recalibrate.
October 29, 2025 03:11 PM
·
While there has been an increase in outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) this migration season, the CDC says the public health risk is low.
October 29, 2025 01:21 PM
·
Cattle markets are collapsing this week, and analysts say that several factors are at play. Consumer beef prices also remain near all-time highs, threatening long-term demand.
October 29, 2025 12:58 PM
·
The idea of buying more beef from Argentina does not sit well with much of farm country, raising some questions from analysts and producers.
October 28, 2025 01:20 PM
·
The President’s trip to Asia this week follows a trade mission by the Iowa Soybean Association. Farmers say they were reminded that U.S. soybeans have an international reputation that can be easy to take for granted here at home.
October 28, 2025 11:28 AM
·
