Farmer sentiment improved in November, with some producers feeling better about their finances in 2025 and more optimistic that they’ll get relief from regulations, according to the latest Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer.
The Purdue-CME barometer rose 30 points to 145, the highest level since May 2021.
Separate indexes for current conditions and future expectations both rose as well. The current conditions index gained 18 points to 113. The index for future expectations increased 37 points to 161.
“For the second month in a row, the percentage of producers who expect better times in the upcoming year rose,” according to the survey. “In November, 25% of respondents said they expect better times next year compared to 16% who felt that way in October.”
Even so, 42% of producers surveyed in November think that U.S. agriculture is likely to be caught up in a trade war that reduces ag exports.
Still, 55% of the farmers surveyed said they believe environmental regulations will be less restrictive in five years. Only 10% of farmers surveyed in October felt that way.
