1980s

The USDA's top economist says the financial health of the farm sector is good, but the direction it's going is a bit worrisome. USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer said as he looks ahead he's concerned that farm sector debt continues to climb faster than farm assets ...

A new analysis shows total farm debt is near record levels and farm real estate debt is at an all-time high. Agricultural Economic Insights found that this week, total debt stands at $425 billion, just short of the 1981 peak of $440 billion ...

According to the USDA’s latest figures, farm income will reach $96.7 billion in 2020, a 1.4% year over year increase.  That figure is a bit higher than the average annual income since 2000, but well below the peak of $139 billion in 2013.   B...

Joe Cornely recently sat down with and economist from the Federal Reserve to find out why the farm economy has not crashed.         If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com...

A recent Ag panel discussed the farm economy of three decades ago, and compared to today.  And as Rod Bain explains, those panel members also talked about what it will take to prevent another 1980s farm crisis.       If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com...

The current farm economy isn't great.  But what can be done to ensure the Ag economy of 2019 does not mirror that of the 1980's?  That was the focus of a recent panel made up of Ag leaders past and present.   "I had two farmer friends of mine in my county," said former John Block, Agriculture Secretary during the Reagan Administration.  "They got in...

Top U.S. banks like J.P. Morgan and Capital One are on the way out of ag lending.  But, Rabobank will be reportedly step in to fill that gap.   The nation’s top 30 banks saw a 17.5% decline, or about $3.9 billion, in their farm-loan portfolios between the peak of December 2015 and March of this year.  However, Rabo...

President Trump’s trade war seems to be pushing the rural economy closer and closer to a meltdown.  According to Politico, economic challenges in agriculture are weighing heavier on banks that lend to farmers and ranchers.  Farmers are getting slammed on all sides by retaliatory tariffs, unusually bad weather, as well as a five-year drop in farm incomes.   Iowa c...

One of the staples at the annual USDA Outlook Forum, the farm income forecast for the upcoming year.  But unfortunately those figures were not released at last week's event.  USDA Analyst Carrie Litkowski said you can blame it on the 35-day government shutdown.   ...

Many in the farming community consider the 1980s the low water mark in American Ag.  But after several years of low commodity prices and the number of small farms calling it quits, many are wondering if we’re headed for a new 1980s.   S...