The May CME Group/Purdue University Ag Economy Barometer says farmers are more optimistic about their future. Purdue Ag Economist Jim Mintert thinks the ebb and flow of trade disputes plays a big role in producer sentiment. “We had the initial shock and that really gave us a little bit of negative perspective throughout much of agriculture as people became concerned about possible loss of export markets. When we did this survey, which was several weeks ago, it looked like things were on kind of an upswing and things were feeling a little more positive. We think that was probably one of the drivers behind the improvement and optimism that people were less concerned about loss of access to export markets especially China, but also some extent the two NAFTA countries: Mexico and Canada.”
