U.S. farmers retained their post-election optimistic outlook at the start of the new year as the January Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index increased 5 points as compared to a month earlier – to a reading of 141. The barometer’s increase was primarily attributable to a 9-point increase in the Current Conditions Index, while the Future Expectations Index increased just 3 points. Compared to recent surveys, fewer producers this month pointed to reduced crop and livestock prices as a primary concern, which helped explain why producers felt better about the current situation.
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James Mintert
Michael Langemeier
James Mintert and Michael Langemeier are agricultural economists with Purdue University. Each month the Ag Economy Barometer from the Purdue University-Center for Commercial Agriculture surveys 400 U.S. agricultural producers to discern attitudes and sentiments regarding the status of the U.S. farm economy. Each quarter 100 agribusiness leaders are surveyed to provide additional insight into the health of the agricultural economy. Visit ag.purdue.edu for more information.
