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

Dairy Markets Show Positive Trends

In this month’s Knowledge Exchange Partner article, Corey Geiger of CoBank, reviews the U.S. dairy markets. It enters the rest of 2026 with renewed optimism as improving margins, strong protein demand, and record export activity reshape the outlook. At the same time, rapid butterfat growth, global uncertainty, and market volatility signal the need for strategic risk management ahead.

May 3, 2026

 herd of cows eating hay and man in barn on dairy farm

Latest From Today's Harvest Blog

Blooming apple orchard in agricultural field, in summer sun with anti-hail netting for protection against weather factors.
Crop Insurance
USDA’s New ASCF Program: What Specialty Crop Growers Should Know (and Do) Right Now

If you grow specialty crops, there’s a new USDA program worth your attention. The Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program was designed to help producers navigate the financial pressure many faced in 2025. Rising input costs, ongoing inflation and market disruptions all contributed to tighter margins. This program offers a one-time payment to help offset those challenges. 

June 2, 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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Ag Economy
Opportunities for Northeast Wine and Grape Producers to Drive Growth in 2026

Farm Credit East recently hosted a webinar with Andrew Adams of WineBusiness Analytics, providing insights for the wine and grape industry in 2026. While overall U.S. wine market growth is stagnant, Northeast winery growth remains steady creating opportunities for the region’s producers. Following are the key takeaways from this webinar. 

January 13, 2026

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 09, 2026

Cow milking facility and mechanized milking equipment
Knowledge Exchange Partner
Dairy Industry Outlook: Dairy continues to be a growth category

This month’s Knowledge Exchange Partner article, contributed by Corey Geiger and Abbi Prins of CoBank, takes a broad look at the forces shaping today’s U.S. dairy landscape. Significant processing investments, shifting product demand, and evolving market signals are creating both opportunities and new challenges for producers. As the industry adapts to these dynamics, strategic planning and flexibility will be essential for long‑term success.

January 08, 2026

Board room with Farm Credit East logo
Farm Credit
2026 Director Election Petition Notification
Farm Credit East’s bylaws provide for the nomination of candidates by petition. To gain access by petition, an eligible nominee must provide the secretary of the association with signatures of at least 50 voting members by Thursday, January 22, 2026.

January 07, 2026

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