A recent survey from Purdue University shows farmer sentiment is slipping in rural America, and economists say today’s problems are very different than just months ago.
“Back in August, before the election, 22 percent of the respondents in the survey chose interest rate policy as one of their top concerns versus 20 percent choosing trade policy. Since the election, over 40 percent, an average of 43 percent, of the respondents to the survey have chosen trade policy as their top concern. While the percentage choosing interest rate policy as a top concern has been falling, and this month was just ten percent,” said James Mintert.
Right now, Mintert says interest rate policy is a top concern for just 10 percent of those who responded.
Related Stories
Lamb prices have seen a surprising surge driven by a tight supply and increasing demand in non-traditional markets.
Farmers should watch for soybean export rebounds with harvest, while corn and wheat shipments remain strong and sorghum demand struggles.
“We believe that it is just a matter of days or weeks... before we see New World screwworm in Texas.”
Rollins says the new trade relationship with Taiwan, which is committed to buying a significant amount of U.S. soy, could not come at a better time for farmers facing financial strain.
The three-point plan was announced during remarks at the annual meeting of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.
