Ag Industry Trends & Outlooks

This month’s Knowledge Exchange Partner features a collection of Industry Snapshots curated by Chris Laughton, Director of Knowledge Exchange at Farm Credit East. Alongside an overview of the national economy, the report covers key sectors of the Northeast farm economy, including dairy, timber and forest products, cash field crops, livestock, fruit, vegetables, greenhouse production, and fishing.

Cooperative teamwork played a key role in Connecticut’s budget success, delivering meaningful gains for Northeast agriculture. Farm Credit East members and leaders championed the investment tax credit (ITC). This month’s Knowledge Exchange Partner article highlights new tax credits for Connecticut farmers and similar opportunities in New York and Maine.

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.

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.