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
Duvall’s connection to cowboy culture extended beyond the screen.
Slightly higher sales amid shrinking acreage and inventories point to tighter supplies supporting catfish prices.
Winter Weather Shapes Markets and Early Fieldwork Nationwide
Phibro’s Medicated feed additives are helping cattle strive right from the very start.
Rising Chinese feed output — especially for swine — signals sustained demand for protein meals and feed inputs, even when meat production growth appears modest.
The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has issued final Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments totaling more than $1.89 billion.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Success requires more than talent — on this week’s FFA Today, agriculture students show us the hard work, dedication, and teamwork required to gain important skills outside of the classroom through the National FFA Organization.
Federal assistance has helped, but the most recent row-crop losses remain on producers’ balance sheets.
OOIDA’s Lewie Pugh discusses the EPA’s new Right to Repair guidance and other regulatory developments impacting the trucking and agriculture industries.
Tyler Schuster is an ag industry advocate who mentors and supports the next generation, especially women finding their place in the cattle industry.
NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart breaks down CAFO permits, EPA enforcement, and what cattle producers need to know as rules continue to evolve.
Rebuilding domestic textiles depends on automation and vertical integration, not tariffs or legacy manufacturing models.