McLean County Farm Bureau

FarmDoc Daily

• Crop and Livestock Producers: Different Sentiment, Similar Concerns and Challenges
  Given the large differences in commodity prices received and projected net returns, it was not surprising to find a substantial gap in producer sentiment between crop and livestock producers in the July 2026 Ag Economy Barometer survey. Other survey results, however, were more consistent across farm types. Input costs were the biggest concern and the […]
• Agricultural and Construction Machinery Manufacturing in the Midwest: Employment, Exports, and Economic Importance
  Agricultural, construction, and mining machinery manufacturing remains an important link between the Midwest’s agricultural and manufacturing sectors. Farmers are more likely to purchase new equipment and replace older machinery when farm incomes are strong. Consequently, this industry is not only a key driver of Midwestern manufacturing competitiveness, but also an important indicator of the broader […]
• ARC-CO and PLC Payments: Improving Farmers’ Decision Making
  As a group, US farmers’ decision on which commodity program to elect captured only about 67% of potential ARC-CO and PLC payments during the 2021-2024 crop years. This article proposes a simple decision guide that a “what if” analysis found would have captured around 93% of potential 2021-2024 crop year ARC-CO and PLC payments, compared […]