Farmer sentiment improved modestly in April as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer reversed a two-month decline; it increased 6 points to a reading of 123. Both the Index of Current Conditions and the Index of Future Expectations improved in April, with the biggest increase taking place in future expectations. The Current Conditions Index increased 3 points to 129 while the Index of Future Expectations increased 7 points to 120. When asked to look ahead one year, more producers said they expect to be better off financially than now, with fewer respondents expecting conditions to worsen compared to both a month earlier and one year earlier.
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.
