More Good News Than Bad: CME weighs in on the latest Ag Economy Barometer

The latest Ag Economy Barometer has been released and it shows that farmer sentiment has improved as interest rate expectations shift.

The barometer improved in March, pushing the reading up 3 points to a reading of 114. The Index of Current Conditions came in 2 points below last month at 101.
While the Index of Future Expectations climbed to 120, 5 points higher than in February.

That split was driven primarily by farmers’ perception of their financial condition and how they expect that to improve over the next year.

Farm Financial Performance was down 1 point at a reading of 83.

CME Executive Director of Ag Research, Fred Seamon spoke with RFD-TV’s own Suzanne Alexander on what contributed to the shift, his thoughts on the report, and what to expect as planting season approaches.

Related Stories
It’s been a decade since Hurricane Rita ripped through southwest Louisiana, and recovery has been a long, difficult process for many who have lived in the coastal area. Today, oyster farming offers a pearl of hope.
California rancher and former NCBA President Kevin Kester joined House Republicans on Tuesday to tout provisions in the Big, Beautiful Bill that support family ranches.
The EPA proposal laid out two options: fully reallocate all exempted volumes to the 2026–2027 standards, or reallocate half.
The Fertilizer Research Act, reintroduced by Sens. Grassley, Ernst, and Baldwin, would direct the USDA to study and publish public reports on competition and pricing trends in the fertilizer market.
U.S. aquaculture may gain competitive ground as harmful subsidies are phased out abroad, but producers should monitor shifts in import supply chains and trade enforcement closely.