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.
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Knowledge Exchange Partner

Knowledge Exchange Partner

Farm Labor Policy in Transition: Updates on SAWA, H-2A and AEWR

This month's Knowledge Exchange Partner article explores how proposed H-2A reforms and recent wage-rate changes could affect Northeast agricultural employers, including workforce access, labor costs, program flexibility and compliance—and what these evolving policies may mean for the future of farm labor.

October 5, 2026

Farm workers harvesting vegetables in a field near a red tractor with a wagon

Latest From Today's Harvest Blog

Onion harvester collecting onions and transferring them by conveyor into a truck.
Business Tips and Tools
What Producers Need to Know About USDA's New Harvest Fuel Relief Program

Harvest often provides the clearest picture of a farm's financial performance. This year, many producers are balancing strong yields with continued pressure from fuel, input and operating costs. To help address those challenges, USDA recently announced the new Harvest Fuel Relief Program (HFR), a one-time $8 billion assistance program for agricultural producers. 

October 21, 2026

Featured Webinar

Ripe juicy red apples in a container. Production facilities of large warehouse - grading, packing and storage of crops.
Business Tips and Tools
Apple Industry Outlook Webinar
Join Farm Credit East and Horizon Farm Credit as they host Chris Gerlach of USApple for a discussion on the prevailing trends and forces shaping the U.S. apple industry.

April 15, 2027

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Caucasian man farmer standing in field with tablet device in hands and showing something to woman on screen.
Business Tips and Tools
Proactive Strategies for Business Success: Preparing your business for the long term

If retirement is on the horizon, the sooner you can start thinking about succession planning, the better. Whether your plan is to transition your business to the next generation or a non-family successor, you should be speaking to a consultant or advisor on how to make it a smooth transition. 

 

June 11, 2025

Supercell storm clouds with hail and rain over agriculture field
Crop Insurance
Prevented Planting

Prevented planting crop insurance options can get confusing. Contact your Crop Growers agent to see if it is the right fit for your operation!

June 09, 2025

Milk bottles on the supermarket shelf
Knowledge Exchange Partner
Dairy Markets Show Both Upside and Concern

This month's Knowledge Exchange Partner article contributors Corey A. Geiger and Abbigail C. Prins of CoBank, outline a mixed outlook for U.S. dairy in 2025, noting strong retail sales and export potential but weak restaurant demand and rising costs. They highlight a historic drop in cow culling, surging butterfat production, and global herd challenges, suggesting cautious optimism for the industry’s future.

June 09, 2025

Beef cow in a green pasture
Crop Insurance
Livestock Risk Protection Policy Updates and June 30 Transfer Deadline
The USDA Risk Management Agency has announced significant updates to the Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) program effective July 1, 2025. The deadline for producers to transfer LRP providers is June 30, 2025.

June 09, 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