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

2026 U.S. Maple Syrup Outlook

This month’s Knowledge Exchange Partner article contributed by Mark Cannella, Extension Associate Professor at the University of Vermont, offers a broad look at the key forces influencing today’s U.S. maple industry. Steady production, evolving consumer demand, and ongoing economic pressures are reshaping the market landscape. These trends present both opportunities and challenges for producers as they navigate changing conditions. As the sector adjusts to these developments, thoughtful planning and adaptability will play an important role in sustaining long‑term growth and stability.

January 9, 2026

Latest From Today's Harvest Blog

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Business Tips and Tools
Data Privacy: Protecting Your Personal and Professional Lives

As more parts of daily farm and business life move online, the information you rely on — financial records, personal data, operational details, etc. — has become more valuable than ever. Protecting your information isn’t just a technical task. It’s part of safeguarding your business, your family and your peace of mind.

January 25, 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

Join Farm Credit East, Horizon Farm Credit and Chris Gerlach of the U.S. Apple Association to discuss the future of the apple industry. This webinar will take a deep dive into the prevailing trends and forces shaping the U.S. apple industry.

April 16, 2026

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Knowledge Exchange Partner
Boosting Dairy Farm Resilience: How the DRP Program Helps Manage Revenue Risks

The dairy industry is inherently unpredictable, with market fluctuations, weather conditions, and production variables all contributing to an unstable income landscape for dairy farmers. Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) is a valuable tool to mitigate these risks and provide a more stable financial footing.

June 04, 2024

Farmer loading pickup truck with corn harvest in field
Knowledge Exchange Partner
Farm Credit East Production Cost Index Plateaus at New High

After a rapid rise in 2021 and 2022, the Farm Credit East Production Cost Index has plateaued after relatively modest increases over the previous decade.  This index tracks farm production costs on a relative basis, weighted towards costs that affect Northeast producers most. Major components of the index include labor, energy, family living expenses, crop inputs, as well as costs like animal feed and other dairy-related expenses, given that sector’s prominence in our region.

May 06, 2024

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Knowledge Exchange Partner
2024 Grain and Oilseed Outlook

Dr. Bob Maltsbarger, Senior Research Economist with the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute, gives his insights on the state of the cash grain and oilseed industries for 2024, including U.S. production, supply and demand trends, competition from other countries, weather-related market fluctuations, and other industry related conditions in this year's industry outlook report.

March 26, 2024

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Knowledge Exchange Partner
2024 Outlook for the Forest Products Industry

In this month's Knowledge Exchange Partner, Forest Economic Advisors, LLC (FEA) examines the forest product markets over the coming year including the state of recession predictions, overall economic growth, and construction and manufacturing markets in this year's 2024 Outlook for the Forest Products Industry report.

March 06, 2024

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