Ag Outlooks and Research
Research and updates from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City highlighting developments in the agricultural economy.
A Tale of Two Economies: Farmers Struggle Despite Strong U.S. Economy
By Suzanne Jenkins and Nathan KauffmanSeptember 28, 2018
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 CowleyJanuary 08, 2018
The outlook for agriculture remains downbeat but is beginning to show signs of stabilization.
Persistent Large Inventories, Low Prices
By Cortney CowleyApril 17, 2017
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 ClarkDecember 29, 2016
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 KauffmanSeptember 28, 2016
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 KauffmanMay 31, 2016
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 CowleyJune 13, 2016
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 ClarkSeptember 23, 2016
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.