A Tale of Two Economies: Farmers Struggle Despite Strong U.S. Economy

By Suzanne Jenkins and Nathan Kauffman At a time when the overall U.S. economy continues to boom, the U.S. agricultural sector has continued to struggle amid falling farm income and deteriorating agricultural credit conditions.

As Winter Looms, Key Risks Keep Ag Outlook Cool

By Cortney Cowley The outlook for agriculture remains downbeat but is beginning to show signs of stabilization.

Persistent Large Inventories, Low Prices

By Cortney Cowley Sentiment about the 2017 outlook for agriculture has varied somewhat by scale and commodity. Nationally, the forecast for farm income suggested the downturn in the agricultural industry would continue in 2017.

Headwinds to Ag Outlook Remain Despite Strength in Exports

By Cortney Cowley and Matt Clark Some agricultural commodity prices in the U.S. got a boost from exports over the summer, but elevated exports seemed to only keep prices for some commodities from dropping further.

U.S. Farm Economy Slumps into the Fourth Quarter

By Nathan Kauffman The U.S. farm economy weakened further in the third quarter despite an upward revision to farm income projections.

Mounting Pressure in the U.S. Farm Sector

By Nathan Kauffman The U.S. agricultural economy has continued to weaken in the first quarter of 2016 and is expected to remain soft through the year. Future cash flow appears likely to remain a top concern for producers over the coming year as agricultural credit conditions, and the path of interest rates, evolve.

Supply and Demand Fundamentals Weighing on Ag Economy

By Cortney Cowley The outlook for the ag economy has continued to become more pessimistic. Recent supply and demand fundamentals have weighed on crop prices amid continued expectations for falling farm income in all states in the Tenth District.

Tightening Farm Income Continues to Loom

By Nathan Kauffman and Matt Clark An increased debt burden, persistently lower profit margins and existing headwinds for crop prices could continue to affect the U.S. farm economy into 2016, and further intensify concerns about emerging financial stress for the sector.