By Shannon Sand
The 2016 forecast of national net farm income was recently released by the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS). The ERS estimates a 3 percent decline compared to 2015 income figures. This is a potential decrease of $1.65 billion dollars in net farm income, a reduction in farm income from $56.45 billion in 2015 to $54.8 billion in 2016 (Figure 1).
If this forecast happens, then it would be the third consecutive year of declining income for the farm industry. This would represent the lowest income since 2002 in both nominal1 and inflation-adjusted dollars2 (Figure 1).
Impact of lower crop & livestock prices
Lower crop and livestock prices are the reason for the 2016 lower net farm income forecast. Receipts are expected to be down $9.6 billion (2.5 percent) as commodity prices remain low for major commodity products in both crop and livestock enterprises.
The bright spot, if there is one, is an estimated 3 percent decrease in cash expenses for 2016 production. Additionally, the safety net provided in the 2014 farm bill is projecting a 31 percent increase in payment via PLC and ARC programs. The current projections is a $9 billion increase in payments.
Figure 1. Net Farm Income Forecast for 20163
The value of farm assets is forecast to decline by 1.6 percent in 2016, at the same time farm debt is forecast to increase by 2.3 percent. The combination of declining asset value and increased debt load reduces the farm sector equity in 2016 by 2.2 percent, or $55 billion. The median income of farm households increased from 2010-2014, peaking in 2014. The forecast for median farm income earned by farm households is forecast to be down $1,473 in 2016.
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