Latest News From EDITORIAL SERIES

David Muth of Peoples Company Capital Markets, the Investment platform for Peoples Company, shares how institutional investors have reacted to higher interest rates on their land investments pursuits.

The Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor is a gauge of economists’ views on the ag economy. While outlooks have grown weaker, it’s the erosion in the future outlook that is sprouting fresh concerns.

Paul Neiffer, The Farm CPA, details some of the Biden administration's 2025 budget plans and how they could affect farmers if approved. Of the provisions, only one would potentially help farmers, he says.

At Christiansen Land and Cattle, they’re committed to excellence and continuous improvement, a mindset that started when Christine Hamilton’s family homesteaded in South Dakota in 1891.

Ag economists’ views on the ag economy took a dive in the first Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor of 2024; however, relatively strong balance sheets and working capital could provide a cushion for 2024. 

Vikram Luthar’s leave is pending an ongoing investigation being conducted by outside counsel for ADM and the Board’s Audit Committee.

For long-term success, farm leaders should regularly assess the landscape of their operation and adjust their strategies accordingly.

AgDay TV Markets Now: Brad Kooima, Kooima Kooima Varilek, recaps a record year in the cattle market and discusses if new highs are possible in 2024.

2023 was a lower year for all the grains as the market went through a commodity reset similar to 2013. What's ahead for 2024?

The availability of livestock workers was ranked as more limited than crop workers and finding long-term help seen as more difficult than temporary help due to the seasonal nature of the ag industry.

From the election to world trade, as well as geopolitical factors that have the potential to shape agriculture in 2024, the December Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor shows the possibility of several economic surprises.

These 10 steps can help keep your employees from walking away.

Generally, the December WASDE sees very few changes as USDA leaves major revisions until the final report in January.  However, USDA did lower ending stocks in corn and wheat, as well as cut Brazil soybean production. 

After two months of a waning outlook on the ag economy, economists views took a turn in the November Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor, a survey of nearly 70 ag economists from across the country.

The debate over immigration continues to be an issue in Washington. However, the Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor shows economists are still skeptical it's enough for Congress to act on immigration reform.

Political unrest, a healthy ag economy and the start of an election year. These are all reasons economists in the October Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor think it could 2025 before Congress passes a new farm bill.

Farmers are opting to tap into their savings from recent prosperous years instead of taking out loans at the highest interest rates since 2007, according to surveys conducted by regional Federal Reserve banks.

While ag economists continue to be at odds when it comes to the likelihood of a recession in the U.S., some doubt the country's biggest importers will be able to avoid a recession over the next 18 months.

Ag economists’ view on the ag economy is starting to erode, but when asked to rank commodities, economists are the most bullish on beef. The September Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor also asked economists what could impact livestock prices over the next 6 months.

Both live and feeder cattle futures hit record highs this week as a function of historically tight supplies. Yet, the question remains—how long could these strong prices last?

Could the optimism in the cattle industry be fueled by profitability? With cattle prices reaching record highs, it’s important to consider whether these high prices are equating to black ink on the balance sheet.

Implications of historic drought and massive herd liquidation will likely continue to be uncovered over the next several months, yet cattle producers remain optimisic about the future of the industry.

The state of the U.S. beef industry in 2023 is strong. Drought-induced herd liquidation impacted the supply side, but an even greater impact occurred on the demand side.

Beef-on-dairy is arguably the most significant advancement for the U.S. beef industry in a generation, and no current review of the State of the Beef Industry would be complete without examining its impact.

China's GDP growth could possibly drop lower than the U.S. this year. In fact, fewer and fewer sectors are healthy, and only then by direct government intervention.

Gains to quality are documented along with areas for improvement identified.

The smallest herd in 60 years creates a historic market for cattle and calves.

The discussion below highlights several items because of their potential influence on the industry over the long run. They’re addressed in no particular order; each one is independently important.

America’s beef producers are optimistic about the future, and the state of today’s industry is strong. Those are two highlights from the 2023 Drovers State of the Industry survey and reported in this special section.

What if there was one tool to focus on using to achieve the best recruitment and retention?

The August Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor asked economists when they think cattle herd expansion will start to take place. The majority think cattle contraction will continue for at least another year. 

In early 2022, a possible trucker shortage grabbed headlines, but John Phipps says even today, there isn't much hard data to substantiate that alarm.

Grounded by his family but propelled by vision, Trey Wasserburger is the energetic force behind creating more processing capacity for local cattle producers.

“Farmers are likely far down the list of threatened occupations.”

“Most farms don’t have the time, capabilities, perspectives, resources or desire to do all the tasks it takes to run an operation," says Steve Kluemper, AgriStrategies LLC founder. "A lot of growers hire to fill gaps."

As USDA prepares to release the July beef cattle inventory report, the Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor forecasts only a small reduction year-over-year. If the forecast holds true, it could put a damper on cattle prices. 

The July Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor showed several key changes from June including a bigger cut to corn and soybean yields, a drop in corn and soybean prices and more bullish cattle and hog prices.

The majority of ag economists don’t expect a farm bill to be written by the upcoming deadline, but a few think it could happen by the end of the year, according to the most recent Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor.

A mid-year report from Farmers National shows land values are increasing by single digits instead of the double digits common in 2021-22. But the company says it has a strong roster of listings headed into late summer.

The Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor is a new survey of nearly 50 economists. Most ag economists agree the next 12 months could produce more financial pressure for agriculture, but their views vary depending on commodity.

“We don’t need to rewrite the entire farm bill,” Rep. Thompson (R-Pa.) says. “We’re comfortable with many parts of the 2018 bill and there aren’t many tweaks, instead things we need to protect and invest in."

The rural economy seems to be set on cruise in neutral gear. That’s according to the Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) from Creighton University. 

Here are the key market headwinds ahead for the cattle industry.  

If your spouse dies, look into filing Form 706 Federal Estate Tax Return with the IRS. Taking that step could help you protect farm assets so they pass to your heirs without estate taxes. The process isn't automatic.

Matt and Lisa Moreland hoped at least one of their sons would return home to farm after college. What they didn’t anticipate? All three sons wanted to come back. Here are four things the family learned in the process.

Big moves in Washington in 2023 could impact your farm.

The Prescott Family Reindeer Farm in southern Missouri is 240 acres rooted in a deep desire to give everyone a full Christmas experience. Cattle producers by trade, they decided to also add reindeer to their mix.

Reduced supplies of both cows and feeder cattle will support higher prices. Drought is expected to moderate.

This year, more than ever, requires you to spend time with your tax adviser to pin down the right amount of taxable income to report. Good luck.  

Cattle mostly higher with steady cash, hogs mixed with disappointing exports. Grains start lower with slow exports and sharply lower BO.  Scott Varilek of Kooima Kooima Varilek has analysis.