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

Dairy Markets Show Positive Trends

In this month’s Knowledge Exchange Partner article, Corey Geiger of CoBank, reviews the U.S. dairy markets. It enters the rest of 2026 with renewed optimism as improving margins, strong protein demand, and record export activity reshape the outlook. At the same time, rapid butterfat growth, global uncertainty, and market volatility signal the need for strategic risk management ahead.

May 3, 2026

 herd of cows eating hay and man in barn on dairy farm

Latest From Today's Harvest Blog

Northeastern producer walking through his orchard
Business Tips and Tools
Mental Health Resources for Agriculture

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and for those in agriculture, recognizing the importance of mental health is crucial. The industry faces unique stressors like weather and economic uncertainty, coupled with the demanding nature of farm work. Farm Credit East and its partners are committed to providing tools and guidance to help farmers, fishers, foresters and their families manage these challenges.

May 12, 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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Ag Economy
4 Key Strategies Grain Producers Need to Navigate 2026’s Tight Margins

Farm Credit East recently hosted CoBank Lead Economists, Tanner Ehmke and Jacqui Fatka, for the 2026 Grain and Biofuel Industry Outlook Webinar. With a high supply of corn, soybeans and wheat globally, producers are seeing tight margins and continued pressure. Read on for key strategies producers should keep in mind going into 2026. 

February 06, 2026

Blooming apple orchard in agricultural field, in summer sun with anti-hail netting for protection against weather factors.
Crop Insurance
Protecting your Perennial Crop Guarantee: Navigating increased restrictions in 2026

After perennial growers submit their crop year production and acreage changes, many assume crop insurance is set until a weather event occurs. However, as records are processed, a unit may be flagged by the Risk Management Agency (RMA) as having a yield variance. If left unaddressed, these flags can affect a unit’s production guarantee at claim time. Beginning with the 2026 crop year, this process has become more restrictive.


February 03, 2026

Interior of greenhouse nursery full of blooming flowers in pots
Knowledge Exchange Partner
2026 Outlook for the Green Industry

In this month’s Knowledge Exchange Partner article, 2026 Green Industry Outlook, Dr. Charlie Hall of Texas A&M University offers a comprehensive assessment of the sector’s recent performance and emerging trends. As 2026 begins, the green industry is balancing cautious optimism with ongoing structural challenges. Although 2025 introduced significant uncertainty, the year ahead holds meaningful opportunities for firms that have adapted to shifting market conditions and positioned themselves for sustainable, long‑term growth.

February 02, 2026

Yellow ear of corn with green husks
Crop Insurance
Reminder: Spring Crop Sales Closing Insurance Deadline is March 15

The deadline to insure spring crops in the northeast for the 2026 crop year is March 15, 2026. 

February 02, 2026

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