DTN Markets Editor Katie Micik reported today that, “Farmers’ feelings about the ag economy continue to fade while agribusinesses’ sentiment took a steep dive, according to the latest results of the DTN/The Progressive Farmer Agriculture and Agribusiness Confidence Indexes.
“The latest reading of the DTN/The Progressive Farmer Agriculture Confidence Index came in at 91.5, the lowest since DTN began surveying farmers in 2010.
“That compares to an index value of 92.7 in December and 98.8 in March 2015. An index value of 100 is considered neutral, while higher values indicate optimism and lower values reflect pessimism.”
The DTN article stated that, “Experts estimate the average Kansas farmer’s net income for 2015 will see a loss of $30,000. The forecast is for more of the same in 2016.”
Ms. Micik added that, “The Agribusiness Confidence Index came in at 83.4, down more than 15 points from December’s 98.3 reading and more than 21 points from the previous March’s 104.7 reading.”
