Farm Real Estate Values Up and Ag Economy Barometer Higher
From the Ag Information Network, this is your Agribusiness Update.
**USDA says the value of all farm real estate increased 5% compared to last year.
The average price is $4,170 per acre, and that includes buildings and other facilities.
Cropland values increased to $5,570 per acre, a jump of $350.
The average pasture value was $1,830 an acre, up 5.2 percent, or $90 per acre.
Farmers paid an average price of $160 per acre to rent cropland.
**The bipartisan leaders of the congressional Ag Committees reiterated their support for U.S. sugar policy during the International Sweetener Symposium in Seattle.
House Ag Committee Ranking Member David Scott says sugar is so important, and we can do without a lot of things, but the one thing we cannot do without is sugar.
Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow says sugar is sweet, but your role in the American economy is sweeter.
**All three broad-based measures of farmer sentiment improved in the July Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer.
The index rose eight points from June to 113.
The Index of Current Conditions increased 10 points to 100.
The Index of Future Expectations rose seven points to 119.
The July survey showed that higher input costs remain the biggest concern to 34%.
Also, 29% cited lower crop and livestock prices as their number one concern.
