Farmers Plan to Use Aid to Reduce Debt

The latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer shows a sharp decline in financial outlook among U.S. crop farmers. Survey respondents in mid-October said they expect this year’s financial performance to fall well below last year, citing weaker margins and ongoing market uncertainty. More than half of farmers surveyed say they plan to use recent federal aid payments to pay down existing debt. While most remain supportive of the administration’s tariff strategy, that support has softened since the initial rollout earlier this year.