Farmer sentiment in May climbed to its best level since May 2021 as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer index reached 158, 10 points better than in April. Farmers were more optimistic about both current conditions and their expectations for the future. The Current Conditions Index improved by 5 points to 146 and the Future Expectations Index jumped 12 points to 164. Key reasons behind the sentiment improvement were a much-more-optimistic view of U.S. agricultural-export prospects, combined with a less-negative view of tariff impacts on 2025 farm income than respondents provided in either March or April. The May barometer survey took place May 12-16.
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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.
