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.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

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.
Bass Pro anglers Ron Nelson and Martin Villa of Team O’Reilly Auto Parts secured the win in Elimination Match 2 of the B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup, thanks to a dominant final frame on the lower St. Clair River.
Check out some of the livestream highlights from Challenge Elimination Round 1 on St. Claire Lake in Port Huron, Michigan. This is the first of four Cups in the Fishing Clash Team Series, which you can catch LIVE only on RFD-TV.