Posts By: Betsy Urso

Farm Journal’s Ag Pro Soybean Prices Could Improve 15% With Tariff Resolution By: Anna-Lisa Laca It’s no secret that retaliatory tariffs have impacted soybean prices negatively. However, if our trade disputes are resolved, one economist says prices could improve by 15%. “You can’t understate the importance of trade for U.S. agriculture, about one in every… Read more »

AgriPulse By: Delaney Howell As trade tensions continue to rise, the thought of having to deal with another tough year of tight or absent financial margins can be daunting. According to the USDA’s latest forecast, net farm income for 2018 is expected to fall to $59.5 billion, a 12-year low. Couple the income forecast with… Read more »

Farm Journal’s Ag Pro Negotiate Ahead of Interest Rate Hikes By: Anna-Lisa Laca The Federal Reserve has been open about their intention to increase interest rates gradually throughout 2018. However, with the unemployment rate at an all-time low—just 3.8%—and key sectors of the economy booming (think: housing), the frequency of increases could change. With that… Read more »

Agri Investor Pistachio and almond export demand outpaces walnuts: Farmer Mac By: Chris Janiec A fund manager with some tree nut investments tells Agri Investor that protectionism is a new and growing concern in the market. US almond and pistachio producers continue to benefit from growth in international consumption, while walnut producers have endured a… Read more »

AgWeb Powered by Farm Journal Analyst: The Economy is Going Over The Speed Limit By Ashley Davenport For the second time this year, the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate one quarter point, citing solid U.S. economic growth and rising inflation. According to the Fed, economic growth has been “rising at a solid rate,”… Read more »

Farm Journal’s Ag Pro Cotton Making Strong Strides By: AgWeb Editors Contrasted alongside anemic crop commodity prices, cotton was once viewed as merely the best pig in the pen. No more. Significant profitability and growing demand are pushing white fiber across increasing acres. Since cotton acres scraped low in 2015, the Cotton Belt’s white blanket… Read more »

BankBeat Secondary market helps ag lenders improve liquidity By: NFR Editorial Staff Editor’s Note: Curt Covington is executive vice president of agricultural finance at Farmer Mac. We recently asked Covington to update readers on how Farmer Mac’s secondary market products can augment a community bank’s rural finance initiatives. Q: What tools does Farmer Mac offer… Read more »