NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — Rural and agriculture-adjacent small businesses saw a slight boost in confidence in November as the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index edged up to 99.0. Still, labor shortages and rising costs continue to pressure farm-country employers. The largest driver of the gain was stronger expectations for real sales, even as owners reported more uncertainty about future capital spending.
Labor quality remained the most pressing challenge across rural Main Street. One-third of small firms still cannot fill open positions, and 89 percent of those hiring report that qualified applicants are scarce — a persistent constraint for ag retailers, equipment shops, grain handlers, and service providers that rely heavily on skilled labor. Inflation pressures also resurfaced: 34 percent of owners raised selling prices, the sharpest monthly jump in more than two decades.
Supply chain disruptions intensified for 64 percent of firms, while capital outlays weakened, suggesting producers and rural businesses remain cautious heading into 2026.
Cattle imports from Mexico remain stalled amid the New World screwworm outbreak. At the same time, Tyson closures add pressure on Nebraska producers and markets ahead of the USDA’s upcoming Cattle on Feed Report.
December 08, 2025 01:55 PM
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Southern producers head into 2026 with thin margins, tighter credit, and rising agronomic risks despite scattered yield improvements.
December 08, 2025 12:04 PM
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Record yields and exceptionally low BCFM strengthen U.S. corn’s competitive position in global markets.
December 08, 2025 12:00 PM
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Water access—not acreage alone—is driving where irrigation expands or contracts.
December 07, 2025 12:00 PM
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Mike Steenhoek, with the Soy Transportation Commission, shares his outlook on current grain stocks and transportation lines amid bumper crops filling bins across the United States.
December 05, 2025 02:18 PM
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The FAO Food Price Index for November fell by more than 1 percent in November, marking the third straight month of declines.
December 05, 2025 11:54 AM
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Working capital is tightening for crop farms, increasing reliance on operating loans even as land values steady in the broader sector.
December 04, 2025 02:59 PM
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Farm CPA Paul Neiffer has developed a detailed calculator to help producers navigate the program’s requirements. He joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to explain how it works.
December 04, 2025 01:20 PM
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Buying a real Christmas tree directly supports U.S. farmers facing rising import competition, long production cycles, and weather-driven risks.
December 04, 2025 11:02 AM
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