Agricultural News
Cropland Prices Stall- Ranchland Values Rise in Latest KC Fed Survey of Ag Credit Conditions
Thu, 15 May 2014 09:37:29 CDT
Tighter profit margins for crop producers were a drag on farm income in the seven-state Tenth District during the first quarter of 2014, despite improved profitability in the livestock sector, according of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's quarterly Survey of Agricultural Credit Conditions.
Low corn and soybean prices combined with relatively high input costs tempered farm income and cropland values as spring planting approached. In addition, winter wheat growers were concerned that poor yields would limit profits despite a rally in wheat prices.
With lower income, more crop producers borrowed to pay for operating expenses and bankers reported an uptick in carry-over debt compared with last year. Looking ahead, 40 percent of the bankers surveyed expected 2014 farm income would fall short of 2013 levels.
In contrast, high cattle and hog prices coupled with lower feed costs improved profit margins for cattle and hog operators, in turn bolstering farm income for the livestock sector.
Recent movements in Tenth District farmland values have echoed farm income trends. Expectations of lower profits for crop producers have generally halted the rise in cropland prices. In contrast, strong demand for high-quality grazing pastures bolstered ranchland values, which increased 2.6 percent from the fourth quarter of 2013.
Click on the PDF file link at the bottom of this story entitled "Q1 2014 KC Fed Ag Credit.pdf" to open and read the full report.
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