June survey shows weaker outlook as input expenses pressure farms
Farmer sentiment declined again in June, according to a national survey of U.S. producers. The Ag Economy Barometer fell from 119 points in May to 113 points in June, showing weaker confidence about both current conditions and future expectations say the report authors Michael Langemeier and Joana Colussi from the Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture.
Not surprizingly, the survey found that producers are facing growing financial pressure. High input costs remained the top concern, with nearly half of respondents identifying them as their biggest challenge. Many farmers also said that rising costs are preventing improvements in their financial position this year.
Low crop and livestock prices were the second-largest concern. Farmers also pointed to weather risks, policy uncertainty, labor shortages, equipment issues, and debt pressure as factors affecting their operations.
The June survey included responses from 400 farmers across the United States. Results showed that confidence in current farming conditions has fallen significantly from levels seen at the end of 2025. Expectations for the future also weakened as producers became more cautious about the farm economy.
Long-term optimism varies by sector. Livestock producers remained much more positive about the next five years than crop growers. More than two-thirds of respondents believed livestock producers could experience good times ahead, while only about one-quarter expected the same for crop operations.
The survey also examined views on the direction of the country. Slightly more than half of producers said the United States is moving in the right direction, a level that has remained relatively stable since May.
Despite concerns about costs and profitability, farmers continued to express confidence in farmland values. Producers remained optimistic about both short-term and long-term land value strength.
Overall, the June survey shows that rising production expenses continue to weigh heavily on farms. While many producers are cautious about future profitability, confidence in land values and parts of the livestock sector suggests that some positive outlooks remain within the agricultural industry.
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