Farmer sentiment sinks as harvest nears

James Mintert and Michael Langemeier Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture
Sep 8, 2025
Sep 8, 2025

Sun sets — As the sun sets on the 2025 growing season, farmers are reporting they are worried about current conditions.
Julie Belschner/Agri-View

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James Mintert and Michael Langemeier Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture

Farmer sentiment dipped again in August as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index decreased 10 points to 125. Producers were markedly less optimistic about the future in August; the Index of Future Expectations decreased 16 points to 123. It was the worst reading for the future index since September 2024. Producer perspective on current conditions changed little this month, with a Current Conditions Index reading of 129 versus 127 in July.

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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.