Ag Industry Trends & Outlooks

Discover insights, trends, ag market outlooks and other topical information as it relates to the Northeast's diverse agricultural industries. Brought to you by Knowledge Exchange from Farm Credit East.
Farmer hands using smartphone

Knowledge Exchange Partner

Knowledge Exchange Partner

Understanding the Agricultural Impacts of Wildfire Smoke

Wildfire smoke darkened skies across the Northeast for at least three consecutive days this July. Orange clouds were evidence of fires raging thousands of miles away in Ontario, Canada and northern Minnesota. While the duration and impact of wildfires have historically been concentrated in the Western United States, the issue is becoming a more frequent concern on the east coast. What impact does sustained wildfire smoke have on agriculture in our region?

August 7, 2026

burning dry grass in spring, air pollution due to burning dry grass

Latest From Today's Harvest Blog

A young farmer talking to another individual with a tablet in a crop field with green netting
Business Tips and Tools
Northeast Farmers: What to Know About New Disaster Recovery Grant Programs

Northeast farmers have faced significant challenges from severe weather events in recent years. For producers in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maine impacted by weather-related losses in 2023 and 2024, funding has been made available to help recover losses, rebuild operations and strengthen long-term business resilience. The program is funded through USDA resources and administered by state departments of agriculture.

September 4, 2026

Featured Webinar

A display of red ripe Macoun apples - a sweet crisp eating apple from the Hudson Valley of New York State.
Business Tips and Tools
2026 Apple Industry Outlook Webinar
Farm Credit East and Horizon Farm Credit recently hosted Chris Gerlach of USApple for a discussion on the prevailing trends and forces shaping the U.S. apple industry.

April 16, 2026

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Hail Caught in Netting in Apple Orchard with damaged yellow apple and green tree leaves.
Crop Insurance
Crop-Hail Coverage: Providing Peace of Mind in the Middle of the Storm

The Northeast U.S. frequently experiences severe weather, including hail, which can severely damage crops and lead to major financial losses for farmers. Due to the unpredictable nature of hailstorms, crop-hail insurance is a crucial safeguard for agricultural businesses. This type of insurance helps cover losses from reduced crop quality and yield caused by hail damage.

May 23, 2025

Holsteins lined up eating feed
Crop Insurance
Reminder: June 30 Deadline to Transfer Dairy Revenue Protection Policies to Crop Growers
The Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) deadline for milk producers to transfer providers is June 30, 2025. 

May 22, 2025

 herd of cows eating hay and man in barn on dairy farm
Crop Insurance
Managing Dairy Revenue Risk

The dairy industry is inherently unpredictable. Market fluctuations, weather conditions and production variables all contribute to an unstable income landscape for dairy farmers. Dairy Revenue Protection, commonly referred to as DRP, is a federally subsidized program designed to help dairy producers manage revenue risk. This program offers dairy farmers a way to protect against unexpected declines in quarterly revenue from milk sales.

May 06, 2025

Cow milking facility and mechanized milking equipment
Crop Insurance
Boosting Dairy Farm Resilience with Dairy Revenue Protection

Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) is a valuable tool to help dairy farmers mitigate the risks of the dairy industry, including market fluctuations, weather conditions, and production variables. By offering robust, flexible and affordable program options, DRP helps to stabilize incomes and support the sustainability of dairy operations.

May 06, 2025

Northeast Economic Engine

Download Farm Credit East’s Northeast Economic Engine report, which analyzes the economic impact of the Northeast agriculture, forest products, commercial fishing and food manufacturing industries. This report was released in October 2024. 

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Cover of the 2024 Economic Impact report