Farmer Sentiment Rises and NFU Calls for Action
From the Western Ag Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.
**Farmer sentiment improved in October, with the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index rising from 123 points in September to 126.
The Index of Current Conditions increased 16 points, while the Index of Future Expectations dropped 2.
High input costs remain the biggest concern, but despite that, the Farm Financial Performance Index increased from 90 to 94, and the Farm Capital Investment Index increased from 39 to 55 in October.
**National Farmers Union President Rob Larew says family farmers made their priorities clear throughout the election season.
Following Tuesday’s midterms, Larew emphasized that with the election over, attention must now turn to governing and delivering results for rural America.
Larew says farmers have waited too long for a modernized farm bill that reflects current economic realities and the Farmers Union will remain engaged with lawmakers as Congress works through this session and into the next.
**The Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the USDA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding designed to strengthen oversight and integrity in U.S. agricultural markets.
The agreement will improve coordination between the agencies while aiming to help identify and monitor structural and systemic risks that could affect agricultural markets.
Chairman Michael Selig says the agreement will enhance protections for producers while improving the efficiency of data sharing between agencies.
