Rural Mainstreet Index: Farmers aren’t confident about the future of the industry

The latest Rural Mainstreet Index shows a dire situation unfolding. It fell below growth neutral for the 17th time in 18 months, and Creighton University economists say trade is the leading factor.

A global economic slowdown certainly is not helping out there, and certainly an supply over, I would argue, an oversupply from some of our competitors, such as Brazil and Argentina, pushing, pushing down, prices are holding, holding them down. I should say prices have improved a bit over the last month or two, but still not in a territory that makes the farmer feel good about what that farmer is making,” said Dr. Ernie Goss.

Dr. Goss says other countries are paying attention to our recent tariff action and adds any potential retaliation is likely to hurt U.S. farmers.

Related Stories
His department will be using a synthetic bait called “Swormlure Five,” which is engineered to smell like an open wound, attracting Screwworm flies to the bait
“We see the opportunity of streamlining the program.”
NCGA estimates that without pesticide use, crop yields could decline by at least 70%.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Team 7Brew rallied in the final minutes of the MLF Challenge Cup’s Championship Round on Friday, boating four scorable to take the trophies in a thriller.
FarmHERs Amy Brown + Paige Dockweiler craft small-batch bourbon in Georgia, blending rare grains for unique flavor.
Wed, 9/17/25 – 7:30 PM ET | 6:30 PM CT | 5:30 PM MT | 4:30 PM PT
Check out some of the livestream highlights from Elimination Match 2 of the B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by 5-hour ENERGY®, the first of four events in the second year of the Fishing Clash Team Series.