Policy, finance and the farm economy
Dealer Row Weekly reporting on regulation & trade policy, finance & interest rates and farm economy & commodity prices.
- Lot 04Farm economy & commodity prices
Over half of corn and soybean farmers named debt the main use of bridge payments; CNH sees a trough
In a January Purdue and CME survey, over half of corn and soybean producers named debt as the principal use of bridge payments and 12% named machinery. USDA forecasts government payments up $19.5 billion to $47.4 billion, and CNH says its market is at a trough.
- Lot 03Finance & interest rates
Tax columnist: IRS may treat a farm equipment lease as a purchase when the terms get too aggressive
A DTN tax columnist says many people are exploring leasing with commodity prices low and interest rates high, and that the IRS may treat a lease as a purchase if its terms are too aggressive.
- Lot 02Regulation & trade policy
FTC and five states move to settle right-to-repair case against Deere
The Federal Trade Commission and five state attorneys general asked a court to enter a stipulated order settling their right-to-repair lawsuit against Deere & Company, requiring it to give farmers and independent shops the same repair resources authorized dealers get, for the next 10 years.
- Lot 04Farm economy & commodity prices
USDA forecasts 2026 net farm income down 2.6%, with income mix shifting
USDA's Economic Research Service put 2026 US net farm income at $158.4 billion, down 2.6% from 2025, as higher crop receipts and a near-70% jump in government payments only partly offset a 5.4% drop in livestock receipts and rising costs.