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
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.
Second Quarter Ag Bulletin
The U.S. ag economy remained strong in the second quarter despite a drop in commodity prices that began late in the quarter.
Farm Lending and Interest Rates Tick Up
Larger sized loans continued to boost lending activity in the second quarter while farm loan interest rates edged higher.
Statement Before the House Committee on Agriculture
Nate Kauffman shared an overview of credit conditions in the U.S. farm sector during a recent House Ag Committee hearing.
Increased Loan Demand and Higher Interest Rates May Benefit Ag Banks
Ag banks could see higher net interest margins if supply chain disruptions drive up farm costs or interest rates rise.
Turmoil in Commodity Markets Following Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022, has caused broad disruptions in global commodity markets. Kansas...
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.