(SPRINGFIELD) Farmer sentiment weakened sharply last month in January as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer (AEB) Index dropped from 136 in December 2025 to 113 in January. The Current Conditions Index was down 19 points while the Future Expectations Index dropped 25 points. Among the five components that make up the AEB Index, the largest decline was in the question asking participants whether U.S. agriculture would have good times or bad times in the next five years with the Index for the question falling from 122 to 88, marking its lowest point since September 2024. While one half of the producers surveyed reported their farm operations are worse off now than a year ago, only 4% indicated that they plan to increase farm machinery purchases or other major changes in the upcoming year.
