Preliminary Results The full report is expected to be published in early June Nebraska agricultural land values increased by 3% over the last year, to a statewide average of $2,650 per acre, according to preliminary results from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Farm Real Estate Market Survey. This marks the first year-to-year increase since land values […]
With the Christmas holiday just days away, this week’s post shares three facts about U.S. Christmas tree production. 1) Fewer Christmas Trees Harvested Figure 1 shows a trend of fewer Christmas trees being harvested in the U.S. Specifically, recent Censuses of Agriculture show that roughly 15 million Christmas trees were harvested in 2017, down from […]
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the things we are most thankful for and to enjoy a delicious meal with loved ones. Some take the lead for meal preparation while others share the responsibility. No matter how your meal comes together, everyone must work together to prevent foodborne illness. “With large meals come food […]
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 34th annual survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table indicates the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $48.91, or less than $5.00 per person. This is a 1-cent increase from last year’s average of $48.90. “The average cost of this year’s Thanksgiving dinner […]
In 2018, the total noncapital living expenses of 1,306 farm families enrolled in the Illinois Farm Business Farm Management Association (FBFM) average was $77,999–or $6,500 a month for each family. This average was 2.3 percent lower than in 2017. Another $4,579 was used to buy capital items such as the personal share of the family […]
The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) for October climbed above growth neutral, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy. Overall: The overall index rose to 51.4 from 50.1 in September. Although still weak, this is the highest reading since June of this […]
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Donald “DJ” LaVoy today announced that USDA is investing $152 million in 19 projects (PDF, 121 KB) to provide or improve rural broadband service in 14 states. “Deploying high-speed broadband internet connectivity, or ‘e-Connectivity,’ in rural America expands access to essential health, educational, social and […]
Farmer sentiment improved again in July as the Ag Economy Barometer jumped to a reading of 153, an increase of 27 points compared to June. July was the second month in a row that the barometer rose sharply, leaving the barometer 52 points higher than in May. Although both the Index of Current Conditions and the Index of Future Expectations improved […]
The Ag Economy Barometer rebounded in June to a reading of 126, 25 points higher than a month earlier. The barometer is based upon a nationwide monthly survey of 400 U.S. agricultural producers. Both of the barometer’s sub-indices, the Index of Current Conditions and the Index of Future Expectations, improved compared to a month earlier. The largest increase was in […]
Acting Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Joel Baxley today announced that USDA is investing in 40 projects in 20 states to improve rural water infrastructure (PDF, 151 KB). “These investments will have a far-reaching, positive impact on rural residents, businesses and communities,” Baxley said. “Improving water and wastewater infrastructure enhances quality of life, helps support […]