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

Why Higher Fertilizer Prices Are Here To Stay

This month's Knowledge Exchange Partner article discuss the current fertilizer market challenges, and the continued geopolitical instability and supply chain disruptions that are creating long-term pressure on fertilizer availability and pricing, creating future sourcing uncertainties for farmers and agricultural retailers. Contributed by Jacqui Fatka, Lead Economist, Farm Supply and Biofuels, at CoBank.

 

September 8, 2026

Green tractor pulling a yellow row planter across a freshly tilled field, with a dense tree line in the background under daylight conditions.

Latest From Today's Harvest Blog

Small business owner going through paperwork with her workers at garden center.
Business Tips and Tools
Higher ARC and PLC Payments Are Coming: What Could They Mean for Your Farm?

For many crop producers, USDA's 2025 Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) payments are expected to arrive beginning in October 2026. While these payments can provide valuable financial support, they may also create new planning opportunities and tax considerations for your farm.

September 28, 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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Tax Talks
Connecticut Farmers: Put the New 20% Investment Tax Credit to Work

Back in July 2025, we provided some insights into the new 20% Investment Tax Credit (ITC) that Connecticut Farmers can take advantage of starting in 2026. Recently, the state put out some additional guidance on the credit. Today’s blog will review the overall credit and the additional guidance so that farmers can plan for the new changes.

August 31, 2026

Farms walking in a harvested field at dusk
Business Tips and Tools
Securing Your Legacy: Planning for the People, the Business and the Future

A successful farm transition is about more than transferring land, equipment or ownership interests. It is about preparing people to work together, aligning the team around a shared vision and using thoughtful financial strategies to protect the wealth built through generations of hard work. When coordinated, they can provide a clearer path for the current generation, the next generation and the farm itself.

August 28, 2026

Ripe juicy red apples in a container. Production facilities of large warehouse - grading, packing and storage of crops.
Crop Insurance
New Variety-Specific Apple Crop Insurance Coverage Available for New York Growers in 2027
Farm Credit East applauds the Risk Management Agency’s (RMA) expansion of the Apple Crop Insurance Program to allow many apple varieties to be insured individually rather than grouped within broader fresh apple categories. 

August 27, 2026

Farm workers harvesting vegetables in a field near a red tractor with a wagon
Public Policy
House Ag Committee Chair Introduces Labor Legislation

Finding and retaining workers remains one of the biggest challenges facing agriculture today. The H-2A program was created to provide a legal guestworker program to help agricultural employers address labor shortages. While participation has increased in recent decades, the program has struggled to keep pace with the needs of today’s operations. New federal legislation aims to modernize the H-2A program to better meet employers’ needs. 

 

August 25, 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