Farm income and credit conditions in the Federal Reserve’s Tenth District remained strong through the first half of 2021. Alongside a sharp turnaround in agricultural economic conditions and some continuing support from government programs related to pandemic relief, farm income and loan repayment rates both increased from a year ago - at the fastest pace on record.
The improvement in farm finances eased credit issues and contributed to softer demand for farm loans. With support from a strong farm economy and historically low interest rates, farm real estate values rose 10% from a year ago, which was the largest increase since 2013.
The outlook for profit opportunities in 2021 remained strong for most agricultural producers as commodity prices remained well above recent years. Conditions in the cattle industry remained somewhat weaker, however, and drought continued to hinder conditions for farmers and ranchers in some areas of the Fed’s Tenth District.
Nearly all banks reported that production expenses for both crop and livestock producers increased and cash rental rates also increased, which could pressure margins going forward. Despite potential headwinds, bankers indicated they expected improvement in farm income and credit conditions to continue in the months ahead.
Strong prices for key agricultural commodities brought additional support to farm income in the second quarter. Alongside multiyear highs in farm commodity prices, about 80% of bankers surveyed in June reported that farm income was higher than the previous year. Bankers’ optimism about farm income was greater than the previous quarter and corresponded with the strongest year-to-year turnaround in farm income since the survey began collecting that information in 2002.
EDITOR’S TAKE:
A very positive report from the Federal Reserve Bank in Kansas City. Once again, our optimism and outlook for agriculture was confirmed by the Tenth District Fed. Their analysis and opinion supports the idea that agriculture customers will be some of your best customers now and in the months ahead. If you are hesitant to contact farmers/ranchers in your area and let them know you are a CAD dealer who offers AgPack – our question is why? Farmers are in a buying mood when it comes to equipment and trucks. As our research tells us, agriculture's busiest truck buying window is not by quarter, it is by season. Winter, to be exact. More than half the trucks agriculture purchases are delivered November-March. So get your agriculture hat on and contact the farmers/ranchers in your area NOW!
