Farmer sentiment improved in April despite continued uncertainty around President Donald Trump’s tariff plans and the stiff duties that he imposed on imports from China, according to the monthly Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer.
The overall index of farmer sentiment, which is based on a survey conducted April 14-21, rose 8 points to 148.
The barometer’s index of current conditions rose 9 points to 141 and the index of future expectations was up 8 points to 152.
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Some 56% of the farmers surveyed believe Trump’s tariffs “will have either a negative or very negative impact on their farm’s income in 2025,” and 53% expect tariffs to make it harder for them to get needed inputs, according to the survey summary.
Even so, 70% of the surveyed farmers “expect the increased use of tariffs will, in the long run, strengthen the U.S. agricultural economy,” the summary said.
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