This article presents results from a recent survey pertaining to farm goals. Even though approximately 15% of respondents focused on short-term financial gains, long-run planning was positively related to each of the five goals: stable income, conservation, profit maximization, farm transfer, and reduction in farm debt. Respondents that focused more on long-run goals tended to be less risk averse than respondents that focused on short-term financial gains.| farmdoc daily
Farmers across Brazil have begun planting the 2025/26 crop season, with expectations for another record in corn and soybean acreage. In its preliminary estimate released on October 14, Conab projected that Brazil’s soybean acreage will increase by 3.5%, reaching 121 million acres – the largest area on record. Like soybeans, Brazilian corn acreage is also expected to expand by 4% in the 2025/26 season, reaching 56 million acres, according to Conab’s initial estimates.| farmdoc daily
Michael Langemeier, Michael Boehlje, and Joana Colussi - Midwest crop producers have experienced a significant downturn in prices since late 2023, resulting in a drop in net returns in 2024. Farms with low profitability and high solvency levels are typically financially stressed. This article used the operating profit margin ratio and the debt-to-asset ratio to create a measure of financial stress. Specifically, farms with a negative operating profit margin ratio and a debt-to-asset ratio abo...| farmdoc daily
