The December Ag Economy Barometer shows farmers are less confident about current conditions, but are more optimistic looking into the future.
The national survey asks 400 agriculture producers a range of questions each month from financial plans to perspectives on current economic issues including the trade war with China.
Report co-author Jim Mintert says the December responses showed no overall shift in sentiment.
“But there was a shift within the index and that was really the idea that people were less confident about their current situation on their farming operation and the ag economy, but a touch more optimistic about the future,” says Mintert.
He says producers are showing confidence that a trade deal with China will come soon, but if another negotiation falls through that could affect January survey responses.
Contact Samantha at shorton@wfyi.org or follow her on Twitter at @SamHorton5.
