Farmer sentiment dropped during March as concerns over agricultural trade and farm policy weighed on producers’ outlook for the future.
The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer fell 12 points to 140, down from 152 in February.
The Index saw a 15-point drop in the Index of Future Expectations to 144, and the Current Conditions Index fell five points to 132.
The drop was influenced by falling crop prices since mid-February, along with the increasing uncertainty surrounding agricultural trade and farm policy.
The Farm Capital Investment Index fell five points to 54 in March.
Despite the dip, that’s the second-highest reading since June 2021.
The Short-Term Farmland Value Expectations Index remained steady at 118 in March, only six points lower than in March 2024.
The Farm Financial Performance Index also dropped eight points to 102.
The Index indicates that producers still anticipate better financial performance this year than in 2024.
