(BlackburnNews.com photo)(BlackburnNews.com photo)
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U-S Farmers Confidence Lowest In 5 Years

A new survey shows U-S farmers concerns over their present economic situation continue to worsen.

The latest DTN/The Progressive Farmer Agriculture Confidence Index is 101 point 5.

It was 118 last August and 109 point 1 in March.

While still optimistic, it's the lowest level since the index started in 2010.

A value of 100 is considered neutral - above indicates optimism, below pessimism.

DTN Markets Editor Katie Micik says commodity prices have not rebounded while costs continue to rise, causing U-S farm incomes to drop.

But Micik says crop and livestock producers appear to have different perspectives.

U-S crop producers rate their current economic situation at 92 point 3 but their future prospects at 102 point 5.

American livestock producers are optimistic about their current economics at 122 point 2, but expect the next year will be worse at 89 point 3.

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