Rural Mainstreet Index Falls to 45.7 for Fourth Month as Farm Costs Squeeze Finances
Updated
Updated · American Ag Network · Jun 25
Rural Mainstreet Index Falls to 45.7 for Fourth Month as Farm Costs Squeeze Finances
1 articles · Updated · American Ag Network · Jun 25
Summary
Creighton University’s May Rural Mainstreet Index slipped to 45.7, its fourth straight month below the 50 growth-neutral mark, signaling continued contraction across rural America.
Weak commodity prices and elevated fuel, production and other input costs drove the decline, with nearly 48% of rural bankers saying farmers’ financial conditions worsened from a year earlier.
Farm equipment sales remained a major weak spot: that index fell to 18.2, extending a 33-month run below growth neutral.
Farm and ranchland values edged back into expansion at 50.1 from 48.0 in April, though weak farm income, lower liquidity and tighter credit standards still capped gains.
Exports offered one bright spot, with first-quarter agricultural shipments from the 10-state region up 7.5% year over year and exports to China surging nearly 77%.