Ag Industry Trends & Outlooks

Discover insights, trends, ag market outlooks and other topical information as it relates to the Northeast's diverse agricultural industries. Brought to you by Knowledge Exchange from Farm Credit East.
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Knowledge Exchange Partner

Knowledge Exchange Partner

United States Citizenship and Immigration Service Clears H-2A Path for Dairy Employers

A new USCIS policy is opening the door for dairy producers to access the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program, a workforce option that has long been out of reach for year-round dairy operations. This month’s Knowledge Exchange Partner discusses how the updated guidance could help dairies address labor shortages, support seasonal workforce planning and navigate new petition requirements moving forward. Republished with permission courtesy of Harris Beach Murtha Attorneys at Law.

July 7, 2026

Cow milking facility and mechanized milking equipment

Latest From Today's Harvest Blog

Picture of Megan Clancy, Farm Credit East Risk Advisor standing in a dairy barn with black and white cows in the background
Farm Credit
Employee Spotlight: A Day in the Life of a Dairy Risk Management Advisor

Shifting dairy markets and late-day price updates are daily challenges for Dairy & Livestock Risk Management Senior Advisor Megan Clancy. Read on as Megan shares what a typical week looks like, why collaboration matters and how her work helps protect dairy farms across the Northeast for the long haul. 

July 14, 2026

Featured Webinar

A display of red ripe Macoun apples - a sweet crisp eating apple from the Hudson Valley of New York State.
Business Tips and Tools
2026 Apple Industry Outlook Webinar
Farm Credit East and Horizon Farm Credit recently hosted Chris Gerlach of USApple for a discussion on the prevailing trends and forces shaping the U.S. apple industry.

April 16, 2026

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 herd of cows eating hay and man in barn on dairy farm
Crop Insurance
Ensuring Stability in the Year Ahead: Protecting Farm Revenue in Uncertain Markets

As we enter 2026, now is an ideal time for producers to reflect on the past year’s challenges and achievements as you plan for the year ahead. With continued volatility across dairy and livestock markets, thoughtful planning will be critical to navigating uncertainty and protecting farm revenue.

December 30, 2025

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Farm Credit
At Farm Credit East, We Care!

During this holiday season, we reflect on the many ways our employee team gives back to the communities where our customers — and our team — live and work. Throughout the past year, the Farm Credit East team came together in meaningful ways to lend a helping hand, share resources and make a difference in Northeast rural communities. 

December 23, 2025

Close up of wine grapes on vine, during harvest season. Finger Lakes winery grape harvest
Business Tips and Tools
2026 Wine and Grape Outlook Webinar

Farm Credit East and Horizon Farm Credit hosted Andrew Adams, from WineBusiness Analytics, covering what's ahead for the wine and grape industry in 2026.

December 18, 2025

Rows of corn stalks in a field with flood water covering the ground at dusk
Crop Insurance
USDA Expands Access to Risk Protection: What the 2026 Final Rule Means for Crop Insurance

The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) has announced sweeping changes to federal crop insurance policies, effective for the 2026 and succeeding crop years. These updates, known as the Expanding Access to Risk Protection (EARP) Final Rule, are designed to modernize the farm safety net, reduce regulatory burdens, and expand coverage options for producers across the country.

December 16, 2025

Northeast Economic Engine

Download Farm Credit East’s Northeast Economic Engine report, which analyzes the economic impact of the Northeast agriculture, forest products, commercial fishing and food manufacturing industries. This report was released in October 2024. 

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Cover of the 2024 Economic Impact report