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The grain and oilseed sector had record harvests in 2024. With changing storage opportunities, market demands and trade challenges, what is on the horizon for 2025? Farm Credit East and Horizon Farm Credit will be hosting CoBank Lead Economists, Tanner Ehmke and Jacqui Fatka, on Monday, January 6, at 12 p.m. for a free webinar that will review variables affecting the upcoming cropping season.

In the recent webinar, Farm Credit East, Horizon Farm Credit and CoBank Lead Economists, Tanner Ehmke and Jacqui Fatka, explore the latest insights on U.S. grain and biofuel markets. With record soybean and corn harvests, profitable storage options and recovering export demand, the landscape is shifting.

The forest products industry is navigating a complex landscape in 2025. With the resumption of a 25% tariff on U.S. imports of Canadian goods, the market faces significant uncertainty. This article delves into the implications of these tariffs, the state of the North American housing market, and the forecast for softwood lumber consumption.

The USDA’s Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) opened applications on March 19, 2025, providing $10 billion in economic assistance to farmers. This initiative is part of a broader $31 billion package approved by Congress in December 2024, aimed at supporting farmers affected by natural disasters in 2023 and 2024. The USDA plans to release initial payments, covering 85% of the total, with supplemental payments expected in the summer. 

This year’s National Ag Day is Tuesday, March 18. And this year, we celebrate the important role Northeast agriculture, commercial fishing and forest products plays in our everyday lives. 

Natural resource-based businesses, like farming, fishing, forestry, and food manufacturing do more than provide food, fiber, building materials, ornamentals and other goods. They are economic engines in their communities, providing jobs and financial impacts throughout the region. In a new report, Farm Credit East, in collaboration with researchers at Cornell University, examines the economic impact of these industries in New England, New York and New Jersey.

This month's Knowledge Exchange Partner article contributed by Mark Cannella, Extension Associate Professor, University of Vermont the article focuses on the U.S. Maple industry and delves into strategic initiatives by the International Maple Syrup Institute, including market development, standardization, and sustainability efforts. With insights into production trends and economic impacts, this comprehensive outlook provides a roadmap for the future of the U.S. maple syrup industry.

This month's Knowledge Exchange Partner highlights a series of Industry Snapshots, compiled by Farm Credit East's Director of Knowledge Exchange, Chris Laughton. In addition to a summary of the national economy, northeast farm economy sectors such as dairy, timber and forest products, cash field crops, livestock, fruit, vegetables, greenhouse and fishing are included.

The agriculture, commercial fishing, forest products and food manufacturing industries are key economic engines in the Northeast, according to an economic impact report recently released by Farm Credit East, the region’s largest agricultural lender.