Today’s Harvest Blog

Today’s Harvest is a valued, timely resource for stories, news, tips and information relevant to Northeast agriculture and our customers.
Farm tractor in a field during the fall harvest

Latest From Today's Harvest Blog

Business Tips and Tools

Key Updates to H-2A Adverse Effect Wage Rates for Northeast Agricultural Employers

Austin Weaver

On October 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a new Interim Final Rule (IFR) that significantly revises how Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWRs) are calculated for H-2A guestworkers. AEWRs set the minimum hourly wages that must be paid to H-2A workers and those in corresponding employment. This rule introduces major changes affecting wage structures across Farm Credit East’s eight-state region, with important implications for farm operations and labor management.

November 4, 2025

Farm workers harvesting vegetables in a field near a red tractor with a wagon

Latest Tax Talk

male farmer working on a laptop computer on his truck hood in front of a cow pen
Tax Talks
Maximizing Your Farm’s Bottom Line: Income and Expense Reporting

Filing farm taxes doesn’t have to be confusing. The IRS requires you to report all income unless specifically excluded, and only deduct expenses that are both ordinary—common in farming—and necessary—helpful for your business. Understanding these basics can save you time and stress.

October 27, 2025

Today's Harvest Blog

close up of multiple black and white dairy cows in a row eating chopped feed
Ag Economy
2024 Dairy Outlook Webinar Recap

Last year saw a marked decline in milk prices from 2022. Feed and fuel costs declined to a lesser extent, but many other expenses increased, reducing margins for dairy producers. Farm Credit East and Crop Growers crop insurance recently hosted a webinar to provide a 2024 outlook for the Northeast dairy industry. 

February 06, 2024

Rear view of new agricultural tractors for sale
Ag Economy
On the Market for Equipment? Keep in mind these major themes in the farm machinery market

Between rate increases, tightening inventories, market volatility and the rising cost of inputs, the agricultural equipment and financing landscape is entering a distinctly different environment following years of unprecedented demand and high farm profitability. As we head into year-end, here are the major themes and factors impacting machinery purchases, financing activity and overall buyer sentiment.

November 14, 2023

close up view of black and white Holstien cow that is looking toward viewer, in a barn with other cows.
Ag Economy
Celebrating National Dairy Month

It’s National Dairy Month, and we couldn’t let the month of June pass by without recognizing the region’s largest agricultural sector — the dairy industry. Dairy and related processing constitute the top agricultural sector in the region, with more than $18.7 billion in direct sales, $34.6 billion in total economic impact and more than 120,000 jobs supported.

June 26, 2023

a bunch of purple grapes and green leaves growing on a vine
Ag Economy
2023 Northeast Wine Grape Outlook

Our recently published, 2023 Northeast Wine Grape Outlook, written by Hans Walter-Peterson, Senior Viticulture Extension Specialist Cornell Cooperative Extension, reviews recent years of grape production, and a forecast of what is to come for 2023.

March 28, 2023

Meet the Authors

Connect with and discover our Today’s Harvest blog authors and their broad range of financial and northeast agricultural expertise.