In May, the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer (AEB) Index survey asked farmers to identify the main factor limiting improvement in their farm’s financial situation. High input costs were by far the most frequently cited constraint, selected by 46% of respondents. Weather risk ranked second at 19%, followed by low output prices at 14%, labor and equipment concerns at 9%, and debt or financial pressure at 5% (see chart). Only 14% of respondents indicated that their farm operations were better off in May than they had been a year ago. Looking ahead to the next 12 months, 22% of...

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