Farmer sentiment improved in March as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index rose from 116 points in February to 127. The Current Conditions Index increased by six points, while the Future Expectations Index increased by 14 points. However, the Future Expectations Index this month was still 12 points below last year’s December index and 16 points below 2025’s March index. The percentage of respondents who cited high input costs as their biggest concern increased from 44 to 46 percent during the month.
However, the percentage of respondents who think the U.S. is headed in the right direction and who expect land prices to be higher five years from now also increased. The percentage of producers who indicated the U.S. is headed in the “right direction” increased from 59 percent in February to 65 percent in March. A higher percentage also expect land values to increase in the next five years, pointing to more long-term optimism.
-NAFB