Welcome to the first edition of “Porchlight Perspectives” from American AgCredit. As a valued partner, we wanted to share the latest information about factors impacting rural…
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When the Salopek family started farming in southern New Mexico in the 1970s, they grew cotton, alfalfa, melons, and a wide variety of vegetables on fertile…
Read MoreSupplemental Disaster Relief Program Stage 2 Update
Almost a year ago, on December 21, 2024, Congress passed the American Relief Act, which included economic and disaster assistance for farmers. The Supplemental Disaster Relief
Read MorePork Producer Margins to Remain Resilient in 2026
Lower-than-average feed costs are supporting hog producer margins, which remain positive after two years of tight margins following the 2023 downturn. This much-needed relief is allowing
Read MoreThe Slow Soybean Switch
The U.S. soybean market currently depends on clarification of domestic biofuel policy and China’s progress in meeting its soybean purchase commitments. Both factors will weigh heavily
Read MorePath of Interest Rates Remains Uncertain
On December 10, the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted to cut the federal funds rate by 0.25% to a range of 3.5% to
Read MoreBeef Buoys Margins in a Flood of Milk
Dairy markets are finishing 2025 under the weight of heavy milk production growth, and surplus will be the theme through at least the beginning of 2026.
Read MoreCorn Crossroads
Assuming trend yields for next year, market prices for corn are in the range of breakeven (or better) for many farmers. Corn markets are likely to
Read MoreBeef Prices Are Still Not Too High for Consumers
Beef prices have been in the spotlight lately. However, available data show consumers are still willing and able to pay for beef at the store. Beef
Read MoreSour Grapes and Silver Linings
There was no material change in the complexion of the wine market in the third quarter of 2025. Wine sales continued to decline across all channels
Read MoreShrinking Slaughter Capacity: What’s Next?
The long-feared rightsizing of shackle spaces to more closely match the number of cattle has begun. The market’s reaction to the November announcement was a good
Read MoreNever a Dull Moment in the Avocado Market
Avocado shipping point prices in 2025 were unusually erratic. Avocado shipping point prices in 2025 were unusually erratic. From January to early July, they consistently exceeded
Read MoreMexico: A Long-Run Export Engine for U.S. Grains
For decades, the U.S. and Mexico have benefited from a complementary relationship: The U.S. efficiently produces feed ingredients and meat for export while Mexico focuses on
Read MoreCracking the New Economics of Almond Production
After years of excessive carry-ins in the almond industry, supply is now manageable. As a result, almond prices have crept up slowly. Whereas the low in
Read MoreProgress Remains Elusive in the Wine Market
Market Update: DtC Sales Still Struggle; Export Sales Lack Clarity There was no material change in the complexion of the wine market in the third quarter.
Read MoreAwash in Wine: Insights on the Inventory Glut
My calculations suggest that wineries had nearly 30% more inventory than the market should ideally carry at midyear 2025. Many wineries are struggling under the weight
Read MoreCME Beefs Up Its Cattle Contracts
The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) recently expanded its offerings for live cattle and feeder cattle futures and options contracts, a vital tool for price discovery and
Read MoreNovember WASDE: Not the Bull Farmers Hoped For
With fall harvest wrapping up, the release of the USDA’s November World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) comes after nearly two months of speculation around
Read MoreProtein Demand Rises, but Will Milk Checks Follow?
Consumer demand for protein is hot. That’s driving whey prices higher at a time when most other parts of the dairy value chain are neutral to
Read MoreFarmland’s Value Drift
Farmland has long served as the spine of agricultural finance, both as the primary investment vehicle and the primary collateral. Historically, farmland has been in high
Read MoreScaling Smart
Larger farms today are prioritizing technology and software as well as operational efficiency. And, despite increased financial pressure in the agricultural economy, they’re still planning to
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