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Farmers were feeling the blues, but sentiment shifted in October

Nov 6, 2024
The Federal Reserve's easing of interest rates may be one factor that turned the mood around. Another could be the election.
A drop in interest rates is good news for farmers. Many rely on loans for their planting-season needs and can't pay them off until crops are sold.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

New York farmers often undercharge at markets. A new pricing report could help.

Oct 31, 2024
Researchers at Cornell University are putting together weekly pricing reports that will help farmers set prices for farmers markets.
Farmers line up along the edge of Ives Park in Potsdam, New York, for the Saturday farmers market. Brandy-View Farm is based in nearby Madrid, New York.
Catherine Wheeler/NCPR

Farmers push Congress for new farm bill

Sep 10, 2024
The farm bill’s current price thresholds don’t reflect higher production costs like gas, machinery and chemicals, all of which have gotten more expensive.
In many cases, commodity farmers will sell this year's harvest at a loss. Advocates say the current farm bill doesn't account for rising operational costs.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

Is the farm economy in a recession?

Sep 9, 2024
Purdue’s Farmer Sentiment Index hit an 8-year low in August.
Strong harvests and lower commodities prices haven't helped with farmers' glum moods right now.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

America's farmers are getting older

Feb 20, 2024
The average age of farmers is increasing as young aspiring farmers face financial barrier to starting up.
Things like a shortage of child care, rural housing and the burden of student loans could be keeping younger people back from farming.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Farmers in Germany protest subsidy cuts with tractor blockades

Jan 9, 2024
Farmers across Germany are continuing a weeklong protest of the government's plan to revoke key economic and agricultural tax policies by blocking major roads and highways across the country.
Farmers use their tractors to block access to a train station on Jan. 8, in Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.
Craig Stennett/Getty Image

Federal Crop Insurance Program draws bipartisan criticism

Nov 17, 2023
Some farmers say their business models depend on the crop insurance and getting rid of the program would drive up food prices.
Mark, left, and Denny Wilson are co-owners of Wilson-Legacy Farms in Delaware. They say crop insurance is an important part of managing and stabilizing farm costs.
Maya Marchel Hoff/Marketplace

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Why aren’t farmers using new tech?

Aug 30, 2023
Farmers haven’t been keen on adopting new agriculture technology despite its potential to revolutionize the industry.
A young farmer uses a tablet before working the fields. Connectivity and broadband access issues remain hurdles for the adoption of agtech in parts of the U.S.
Phillippe Desmazes/AFP via Getty Images

Grain storage costs have soared. That puts Midwest elevators and co-ops in a tough spot.

Aug 4, 2023
Rising interest rates and high crop prices costs are making it more expensive to store grain — a critical step for many farmers.
A worker monitors grain being transferred into the Top AG grain co-op’s silos in Okawville, Illinois. Farmer co-ops have to buy grain when farmers are ready to sell.
Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio

How does the price of soybeans, corn and other commodities affect the cost of food?

May 31, 2023
Prices received by U.S. farmers are down 2.2% since last year. But you may not feel it at the grocery store.
After record highs about a year ago, soybean prices have dropped to some of the lowest levels farmers have seen in recent years. Above, the crop being harvested in Iowa.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images