Ag Economists Monthly Monitor
University of Missouri
Farm Journal

The Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor survey is a joint effort between Farm Journal and agricultural policy research centers at the University of Missouri. Questions are sent to agricultural economists nationwide to gauge perspectives on important drivers of agriculture and provide unique and timely insights that affect stakeholders at all levels of the industry with the results being posted on Ag Web.

survey

The value of Monthly Monitor

Participants in the Monthly Monitor survey are carefully selected to represent both academic and industry perspectives from across the United States. The first of its kind, the survey harvests insight from individuals with expertise in crop, livestock, policy and agricultural finance. The economists provide insights into agricultural economic health and views on market trends through crop and livestock production forecasts, farm income expectations, as well as pre-USDA report estimates. The survey is anonymous, a key factor what makes this survey so valuable.

The Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor is a survey of nationally recognized economists representing multiple universities, commodity groups and private organizations and companies spanning multiple geographic regions. This diversity allows for expertise in a variety of crop, livestock and policy sectors.

The Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center (RaFF) and the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri support the Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor survey as it provides farms, ranches and agribusinesses a glimpse into expert economist opinion on the current and future states of agricultural markets, domestically and abroad. RaFF and FAPRI team members are enthusiastic about the future of the Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor and the opportunity the survey affords for economists of varying expertise to share their views with a broader audience.

Economists were asked their biggest concerns regarding the outlook of U.S. agriculture. The responses varied based on crops and livestock, but in general, the Monthly Monitor revealed the biggest concerns include:

• Increased input prices
• Abnormal weather patterns (including drought)
• Export demand and geopolitical risks
• Margin squeeze for producers
• Increased interest rates
• Regulatory pressures negative impact on demand.

To view more in-depth coverage from the first Monthly Monitor, visit AgWeb.com

Monthly Monitor News

Ag Economists Monthly Monitor - Ag Economy Outlook - Main Article Image - 08-2023 - WEB

Ag Economists Turn More Bullish On Soybean Prices, Corn Prices Are a Big Red Flag

Ag Economists Monthly Monitor - 08-2023 - Cattle Herd Expansion - WEB

Could Cattle Prices Soar Through Next Year? That’s What Economists Think, And It Could Completely Change the Industry

Ag Economists Monthly Monitor - Farm Bill - 06-27-2023 - WEB

Most Ag Economists Think It’s Unlikely the 2023 Farm Bill Will Be Passed in 2023

Digging into the findings

Tyne Morgan talks with University of Missouri Agricultural Economist, Scott Brown about the findings of the first Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor Reports

Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor

November 2023 Report

Will Border Security Issues Force Congress To Take Action On Immigration Reform? Ag Economists Say It's Unlikely

With a renewed push by the GOP to address illegal border crossings, and the White House emphasizing the need to allocate more than $13 billion to manage the increase of migrants into the U.S., the topic as at the forefront of policy discussion once again.
October 2023 Report

The Ag Economy Is Healthy, And That's One Reason Economists Think It Could Be 2025 Before We See A New Farm Bill

Political dysfunction, a healthy ag economy, lack of urgency and the start of a presidential election year. These are all reasons leading agricultural economists to cast doubts on Congress’ ability to pass a new Farm Bill this year, as well as anticipate a strong possibility the legislation will face gridlock throughout all of 2024.
September 2023 Report

The One Factor That Could Make Or Break the Farm Economy Over the Next 12 Months

Ag economists’ view on the ag economy is starting to erode. The September Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor shows lower commodity prices, concerns about demand and a negative outlook for China’s economy are all contributing to the changing views, even as the cattle herd and U.S. corn and soybean crops continue to shrink. But the most influential piece of the farm economy might be the price of corn.
August 2023 Report

Ag Economists Turn More Bullish On Soybean Prices, Corn Prices Are a Big Red Flag

Waning consumer demand for products like protein and other ag commodities continues to be a red flag for agricultural economists, according to the August Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor. But even with signs of caution, they continue to be impressed with the staying power of the U.S. agricultural economy, as well as the U.S. economy as a whole.
July 2023 Report

Ag Economists Turn More Positive Longer-Term On the Farm Economy

The July Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor shows weather extremes and wild swings in the commodity markets are the two biggest factors impacting short-term outlooks, but the economists surveyed expressed a more favorable view longer-term. The latest survey also shows the biggest wildcard for agriculture over the next year could be geopolitical risks tied to China and the war in Ukraine.
June 2023 Report

High Production Costs Could Weigh on the Ag Economy Through 2024, New Survey of Economists Finds

Stronger cattle prices combined with the recent run-up in crop prices aren’t enough to outweigh concerns about the impact high input prices will have on farmers this year and into 2024. While most economists agree the next 12 months could produce more financial challenges for agriculture, views vary on how much financial pressure producers will see and offer differing opinions on the U.S. crop production picture and commodity/feed prices.

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