Farmer Sentiment Is Falling Amid Higher Input Costs
Farmer sentiment declined in April—the pressure on the farm economy is intensifying.
In this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast, Joana Colussi and Michael Langemeier break down the April 2026 Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer survey results and, more importantly, what’s happening behind the data. Rising input costs, fertilizer price pressure, and global uncertainty are all contributing to a more cautious outlook—but understanding how these factors connect is critical for decision-making.
This discussion provides insights you won’t get from the report alone—offering perspective from agricultural economists on where the farm economy may be headed and what it means for your operation in 2026/27 and beyond.
In this episode, we discuss:
• What’s driving the recent decline in farmer sentiment
• How fertilizer prices and input availability are impacting decisions
• Why 2/3 of farmers expect lower income in 2026
• What rising break-even prices mean for crop profitability
• Why farmers are pulling back on machinery and capital investments
• The widening gap between crop and livestock outlooks
• How tight margins are influencing cash flow and strategy
• What’s shaping farmland value expectations
• Why confidence in the broader U.S. economy is slipping
📊 Read the full Ag Economy Barometer report:
https://purdue.ag/barometer127
In this episode:
00:00 Why Farmer Sentiment Dropped in April
00:55 April 2026 Ag Economy Barometer: Key Results
01:34 Input Costs & Fertilizer Prices Driving Concern
02:27 Iran Conflict Impact on Farm Income & Costs
03:36 Why Break-Even Prices Are Rising in 2026
05:51 Crop vs Livestock Outlook: Gap Widens
06:55 Why Farmers Are Pulling Back on Investments
08:38 Are Farms Truly Low-Cost Producers?
10:51 Farmland Values: What’s Driving the Outlook
12:47 Are Farmers Losing Confidence in the Economy?
13:22 Farm Growth Expectations Shift Lower
14:11 Final Takeaways: What Farmers Should Watch
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