Rural Mainstreet Index Falls Below Growth Neutral for Third Straight Month
Rural economic conditions remain under pressure as growth slows, equipment sales lag, and more than half of bankers report recessionary conditions.
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Ag
House Ag Committee Moves U.S. Farm Bill Forward
A bipartisan farm bill has advanced out of committee and now heads to the full House. The legislation aims to strengthen the farm safety net, improve credit access, and support rural economies as agriculture faces rising costs and market uncertainty.
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U.S. Sales of Combines Increase in January 2026
According to new data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), U.S. sales of combines rose 68% in January 2026 compared to the year before. Total sales of Ag tractors declined 4.7% during the same period.
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Rural聽Mainstreet Falls Below Growth Neutral
he overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) dropped below growth neutral 50.0 for February, according to the latest monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy.
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House Agriculture Committee Releases New Farm Bill Draft
Republicans on the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture have released text for a new Farm Bill, titled the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026, calling it 鈥渕odern policies for modern challenges.鈥
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Tariffs Uncertainty Raises Input Cost for Farmers and Ag Retailers
The president and CEO of the Agricultural Retailers Association says tariff policy is continuing to add uncertainty to the ag input sector, with cost pressures beginning to work their way toward the farm gate.
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Trump Highlights E15 Expansion Proposal During Iowa Rally
Trump voiced support for a legislative proposal to allow year-round sales of higher-ethanol E15 gasoline during a rally near Des Moines, IA, last week, attended by farmers and biofuel supporters.
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Rural聽Mainstreet聽Index Records Highest Reading Since July 2023
The overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) climbed above growth neutral 50.0 for January, according to the latest monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy.
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Brighter Outlook Drives Farmer Sentiment Higher
The Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index climbed to 139 in November, 10 points higher than in October and the highest barometer reading since June of this year.
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Supporting the Future of Agriculture: The Robert K. Schnell Memorial Scholarship
FEMA continues its commitment to the next generation of ag leaders through the Robert K. Schnell Memorial Scholarship, supporting students like Dylan McEwen as they prepare to shape the future of agriculture.
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Livestock Sector Optimism Fuels a Modest Rise in Farmer聽Sentiment
Farmer sentiment improved modestly in October, as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose three points to a reading of 129. The boost came primarily from stronger confidence among livestock producers, who continue to benefit from record-high profitability in the beef sector.
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Farmers Say Conditions on U.S. Farms Are Weakening
The latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer shows farmers continue to be concerned about the ag economy.
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Tariffs Continue to Weigh on Rural Mainstreet Economy
For the seventh time in 2025, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) sank below growth neutral 50.0, according to the monthly survey bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region.
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Is the U.S. Corn and Soybean Crop Getting Smaller?
The 2025 U.S. corn and soybean crops face late-season challenges from drought and disease, raising concerns about lower yields.
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U.S. Dairy Exports Soar
U.S. dairy exports surged in 2025, driven by strong global demand for cheese and butterfat, competitive pricing, and improved milk production.
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Corn Yield Crushes Expectations
The USDA stunned markets with its August WASDE report, projecting a record U.S. corn yield of 188.8 bushels per acre鈥攗p 7.8 bu. from July and 9.5 bu. from 2024.
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Farmer Sentiment Weakens, but Confidence in U.S. Policy Grows
A survey of 400 farmers and ranchers from across the country shows rising concern about the current state of the ag economy. However, producers remain optimistic President Trump鈥檚 tariff policy will benefit U.S. agriculture.
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Farmer Sentiment Declines Due to Trade Uncertainty
Farmer sentiment weakened in June following two months of improvement, as tracked by the Purdue University -CME Group Ag Economy Barometer.
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Monitoring Crops with AI Models
In blueberry fields and cranberry bogs throughout South Jersey, diseases and invasive weeds threaten farmers鈥 crops and their livelihoods. Hieu Nguyen, Ph.D., professor of mathematics in the College of Science & Mathematics, is using smart drones and artificial intelligence (AI) to help farmers monitor their fields for these and other threats.
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USDA Weekly Crop Report: 70% of U.S. Corn , 66% of Soybeans Good to Excellent
The latest USDA Crop Progress report shows mostly steady field conditions with some week-over-week declines, as summer heat begins to influence regional development.
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Trump Again Considering Immigration Relief for Farm Workers
President Trump said he wants to shield reputable farmers from the impact of immigration crackdowns, shortly after reinstating workplace raids on farms. He suggested allowing these farmers to take responsibility for workers to avoid hurting agriculture or non-criminal migrants.
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Rural Mainstreet Economy Soars to Two-Year High
The overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) climbed above the 50.0 growth neutral reading in June, marking its highest level since July 2023, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy.
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Farmer聽Sentiment聽Reaches Four-Year High in May
Farmer sentiment improved for the second consecutive month in May, reaching its highest level since May 2021. The sentiment boost was driven by a more optimistic outlook on U.S. agricultural exports and a less negative view of how tariffs will impact farm income in 2025.
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Midwest Farmland Values Slightly Up in First Quarter
A policy advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago says land values in the Seventh District were up slightly from a year ago in the first quarter of 2025.
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Cost of Producing Corn & Soybeans in Illinois
In 2024, total economic costs per acre for growing corn in Illinois averaged between $1,154 in the southern section and $1,251 in central areas with high-rated soils. Soybean costs ranged from $863 to $931 per acre.
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Apply by June 9 for Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge
The American Farm Bureau Federation is seeking entrepreneurs to apply for the 2026 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. The overall winner of the competition will receive $100,000 in startup funds, the runner-up will be awarded $25,000 and two additional business owners who advance to the final four round will receive $10,000.
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Planting Progress Shows Strong Early Season Gains
The USDA released its eighth Crop Progress Report of the 2025 growing season on May 5. Here鈥檚 a look at the most recent corn, soy, wheat, and oat numbers.
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Rural Mainstreet Index Reflects Weak Rural Economy
The Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI), which covers 10 regional states across 200 rural communities, reports that in April, the overall index fell below growth neutral 50.0 for the 19th time in the past 20 months.
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Farmer Sentiment Improves as Long-Term Optimism Outweighs Tariff Concerns
Farmer sentiment improved in April as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer climbed 8 points to a reading of 148. Somewhat surprisingly, this month鈥檚 improvement in farmer sentiment occurred despite ongoing trade disputes with many of U.S. agriculture鈥檚 largest trading partners, including Mexico, Canada and China.
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Producer Sentiment Slips Due to Rising Policy Uncertainty
Farmer sentiment declined in March as concerns over agricultural trade and farm policy weighed on producers鈥 outlook for the future
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Scenes from the 2025 Commodity Classic
Attendees from across North America, including many 果冻传媒 (FEMA) member companies, gathered to explore the latest advancements and connect with industry leaders at Commodity Classic.
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Rural Mainstreet Economy Falls Again in February
For the 17th time in the past 18 months, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) sank below the 50.0 reading in February, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy.
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Farmer Sentiment Improves in January
Farmer sentiment remained strong at the start of the new year, rising modestly from December to January. Farmers reported an improvement in current conditions on their farms due in part to increases in crop prices from early December to mid-January.
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Rural Mainstreet Economy Faces Continued Downturn
Despite another one-year extension of the farm bill, and $20.8 billion in farm disaster relief, the farm (grain) economic outlook remained weak for the first half of 2025.
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Farmer Sentiment Drifted Lower in December
Farmer sentiment drifted lower in December as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer fell 9 points to 136. Although the barometer weakened somewhat in December compared to November, producers still retained much of their post-election optimism about the future.
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Farmer Sentiment Reaches May 2021 High After U.S. Election
Farmer sentiment jumped again in November as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer climbed 30 points to 145. Both the Current Conditions and Future Expectations indices increased in November, with the biggest improvement taking place in future expectations.
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Rural Mainstreet Economy Soars to Highest Level in 15 Months
For the first time since July 2023, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) rose above growth neutral, according to the November survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy.
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Congress Eyes One-Year Farm Bill Extension with Disaster Relief
As Congress enters the post-election, lame duck session, it is becoming increasingly clear that a one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill is likely.
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Farmer Sentiment Rebounds in October as Outlook Brightens
October provided a surprising pre-election bounce in farmer sentiment as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer index climbed to 115, 27 points higher than in September.
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Brighter Outlook Lifts Farmer Sentiment
The Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index climbed to 139 in November, 10 points higher than in October and the highest barometer reading since June of this year.
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Farm Bill Stalled: Decision Pushed Beyond Election Day
The latest deadline for the farm bill passed unceremoniously at midnight on Sept. 30, without a push from lawmakers to pass a new farm bill or an extension.
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Hurricane Helene Causes Billions in Ag Damage
Hurricane Helene has caused significant agricultural and property damage across the southern U.S., halting chicken processing plants, damaging flocks, and devastating pecan trees and cotton crops.
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Farmer Sentiment Reaches Lowest Levels Since 2016
The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer recorded its lowest readings since March 2016 in September.
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Rural Mainstreet Economy Falls to Early Pandemic Low
The Rural Mainstreet Index plummeted to its lowest level since the beginning of the pandemic and fell below growth neutral for the 13th straight month.
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Farmer Sentiment Plummets in August as Crop Prices Decline
In a sharp turnaround from July, farmer sentiment nose-dived in August. The August Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer fell 13 points. Weakening farm income prospects weighed on farmer sentiment as the outlook for a bountiful fall harvest were more than offset by declining crop prices.
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Safety Net Issues Stall Farm Bill
A Senate Appropriates Committee met to discuss the passage of the Farm Bill and the importance in providing a safety net for farmers through reference prices.
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Farm Bill Prospects Nearly Nonexistent This Year
The already-slim chances of Farm Bill reauthorization in 2024 are waning in the summer heat, facing a legislative calendar almost out of days.
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Rural Mainstreet聽Economy Down Again for July
For an 11th straight month, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) sank below growth neutral, according to the July survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy.
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Farmer Sentiment Lowers Amidst Weaker Future Expectations
Farmer sentiment drifted lower in June as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer reading of 105 was three points lower than a month earlier.
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Farmers Want Climate-Smart Ag Protection in Farm Bill
A new Farm Journal poll conducted on behalf of Invest in Our Land across 10 leading agricultural states shows that American farmers and ranchers overwhelmingly believe conservation funding has an important role to play in building their operations鈥 resilience to increasingly extreme weather and addressing the effects of climate change.
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