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Market Movers to Watch for the Week of April 6

Key reports that farmers should watch which could have significant impacts on commodity markets the week of April 6th, 2025

MU Extension holds short-term operating plan workshops

If key decision-makers on a farm are unable to make decisions for a short time (two weeks to six months), how well would their farm operations continue? University of Missouri Extension will host “On My Own: Planning for the Unplanned” workshops on short-term operating plans to help landowners and farm operators make sound decisions when preparing for the unexpected. “Farmers can be sidelined by health concerns, cognitive issues, accidents and injuries, family caretaker duties, military deployment or anything else that inhibits their ability to make decisions and operate their farm,” Amie Breshears, MU Extension agricultural business specialist, said in a news release. A short-term operating plan provides essential information and structure to keep the farm running until the key decision-maker is ready to resume their role, she said. Participants will leave the series with knowledge of components of short-term operating plans, Breshears said. The program is designed for female lan

Farmers deeply concerned about ag trade

Weaker expectations for the future led to a decline in farmer sentiment in March as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer index decreased 12 points to a reading of 140, a decrease from 152 a month earlier. The farmer view of the future was decidedly less optimistic in March than in February, as the Index of Future Expectations dipped to 144, which was 15 points less than in February. A weaker Current Conditions Index, which decreased 5 points in March to 132, also contributed to the weakening in farmer sentiment. Reductions in key crop prices since mid-February, combined with concerns about the future of agricultural trade and farm policy, were important factors behind the sentiment shift. Even with the decline in expectations for the future, farmers were still more optimistic about the future than the current situation. The Future Expectations Index remained 12 points more than the Current Conditions Index. The March barometer survey took place March 10-14. Coinciding

Research farm seeks more farmer input

Staff at the Iowa State University Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm are trying to rouse up more attention and input from regional producers. ISU Extension staff and Northeast Iowa Agricultural Experimental Association officers reminded members at a recent annual meeting about the importance of their input for upcoming seasonal activities at the research farm, which is also home to the Borlaug Learning Center outside of Nashua in Chickasaw County, Iowa. “We are the best-kept secret in northeast Iowa,” Tim Burrack, president of the NIAEA, said to about 50 members filling a classroom on the farm. “We need to remind people this research farm is here for them.” The farm will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026. The NIAEA owns the 260-acre research and demonstration farm. Iowa State and the association partnered to open the Borlaug Learning Center in 2009. The center includes Extension and research farm offices, rural development office space and meeting rooms.

Manitoba Government Providing $150 Million for Agricultural Producers

The Manitoba government will provide farmers and producers with more than $150 million in supports, including $10 million to match federal AgriStability funding, Premier Wab Kinew announced today. “We’re standing up for Westman and Western Canada, and protecting your jobs,” said Kinew. “With $150 million in supports for agriculture, we’re making sure that farmers and producers can weather the economic uncertainty we’re facing and protecting jobs in the agriculture industry.” The Manitoba government will provide $10 million in additional matching funds for the AgriStability program, as well as $140.8 million for business risk management programming including AgriInsurance, Wildlife Damage Compensation and AgriInvest. The premier noted the province is also working with farmers, producers and businesses to protect jobs, strengthen Manitoba’s economy and respond to tariffs from China and the United States, in addition to working with Keystone Agricultural Producers toward a number of sh