Agriculture and the Economy
The Kansas City Fed is a leader on topics related to the agricultural economy within the Federal Reserve System. Our work provides insights on agricultural and rural economies for our seven-state region of the Tenth Federal Reserve District and nationally.
Latest Updates
Farm Debt Climbs but Financial Stress Remains Limited
Farm real estate debt continued to climb and led to a notable increase in agricultural loan balances at commercial banks.
Farm Loan Interest Rates Rise Sharply
Interest rates on farm loans increased sharply in the third quarter.
Strong Farm Economy, but Interest Expenses and Drought Intensify Pressures
Interest rates on farm loans increased sharply and the acceleration in farm real estate values continued to ease.
Third Quarter Ag Bulletin
U.S. farm income remained strong in the third quarter despite a further decline in agricultural commodity prices.
Steady Growth in Farm Lending
Larger sized operating loans continued to boost farm lending activity.
Commodity Prices Have Limited Influence on U.S. Food Inflation
Shifts in consumer behavior and higher costs along the supply chain have contributed to a surge in food prices.
Real Estate Lending Pushes Farm Debt Higher
Strong growth in farm real estate debt pushed agricultural loan balances higher at commercial banks in the second quarter.
Ag Credit Conditions Remain Strong as Risks Grow
Agricultural credit conditions remained strong in the second quarter, but slower improvement was expected in the coming months.
Solid Farm Economy, but Signs of Slowing
Financial conditions in the Tenth District farm economy remained solid in the second quarter.
Resources on the Ag Economy
Ag Finance Updates
Find articles summarizing recent developments in agricultural finance and lending.
Ag Credit Survey
The quarterly Ag Credit Survey provides current indicators of the financial performance of Tenth District agriculture.
Ag Symposium
The Kansas City Fed's Agricultural Symposium explores topics of current and emerging significance to agriculture.
Ag Outlooks
Review the latest Ag Bulletin for a summary of ag conditions and additional outlook articles on the ag economy.
Kansas City Fed Research
Find recent monetary policy, payments system and regional and community research from the Kansas City Fed.
Our Connection to Agriculture
The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City has a long history of focus on the U.S. and global agricultural economy. The Tenth Federal Reserve District, which includes Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Wyoming, northern New Mexico and western Missouri, is strongly connected to agriculture, from farm production and food manufacturing to agricultural banking and finance. Because the industry is vital to the region we serve, the Kansas City Fed is committed to understanding developments in the agricultural economy and gathering perspectives from rural America in order to include them in discussions on the national economy.
Recent Research
2022 Agricultural Symposium: Help Wanted in Agriculture
The 2022 Agricultural Symposium explored the role of labor in determining the long-term outlook for agriculture.