The farm economy has changed significantly in the eight years since the last farm bill was written, reports Jim Henry.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released updated farm income numbers this week, and the outlook is still bleak, says Jim Henry.

The president’s plan to facilitate record imports of beef will have a significant impact on farmers and ranchers who are rebuilding their herds devastated by drought, reports Jim Henry.

Long-term profitability will depend less on producing a good crop and more on earning a profitable price for it, predicts Jim Henry.

Total cattle inventory increased slightly for the first time since 2018, but the beef cow herd fell to 28.5 million head – a record low, indicating herd rebuilding remains limited, reports Jim Henry.

Farmers and ranchers who own land will have a stronger balance sheet thanks to increased values, but there are still pros and cons to the cost of farmland going up, says Jim Henry.

The House narrowly approved a $95 billion budget bill to send the measure – which contains $12 billion in additional agricultural assistance – to the Senate, where it faces an unclear path, reports Jim Henry.

Elevated production costs may be limiting agricultural producers’ willingness or ability to expand, says Jim Henry.

Without federal assistance, the economic situation in rural America will only get worse, warns Jim Henry.

Corn rootworm damage often goes unnoticed until it is too late. Know your pest pressure and protect your yield potential, advises Jim Henry.