Ag Industry Trends & Outlooks

If the past several years have taught us anything, it’s that we need to be agile. While we can’t plan for the unexpected — and the unexpected will come — we can be informed and proactive. Planning ahead using available insights can help you strategically accomplish your business goals. So, what can you do today to set yourself up for success?

The dairy industry is inherently unpredictable. Market fluctuations, weather conditions and production variables all contribute to an unstable income landscape for dairy farmers. Dairy Revenue Protection, commonly referred to as DRP, is a federally subsidized program designed to help dairy producers manage revenue risk. This program offers dairy farmers a way to protect against unexpected declines in quarterly revenue from milk sales.

As field work and spring planting kicks off across the Northeast, many farmers are making significant investment in equipment, crop inputs and labor. These expenditures present opportunities for proactive tax planning and sound record keeping. By aligning your spring activities with tax efficient strategies, you can optimize deductions, manage cash flow effectively and set the stage for a smoother year-end process. 

This month's Knowledge Exchange Partner highlights a series of Industry Snapshots, compiled by Farm Credit East's Director of Knowledge Exchange, Chris Laughton. In addition to a summary of the national economy, northeast farm economy sectors such as dairy, timber and forest products, cash field crops, livestock, fruit, vegetables, greenhouse and fishing are included.