For the ninth time in 2025, the region’s overall or Rural Mainstreet Index sank below growth neutral.
Approximately, 31.8% of bankers reported that the rural economy was in a recession.
For the 18th time in the past 19 months, farmland prices sank below growth neutral.
Approximately, 58.3% of bankers expect farmland prices to fall in 2026, with an average decline of 3.1% for all survey participants.
On average, bank CEOs expect 18.3% of farmers and ranchers in their area to record negative cash flow for 2025.
Farm equipment sales dropped below growth neutral for the 27th straight month.
According to trade data from the International Trade Association (ITA), regional exports of agriculture goods and livestock for the first eight months of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024, fell by 5.9%.
