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

Farm Labor Policy in Transition: Updates on SAWA, H-2A and AEWR

This month's Knowledge Exchange Partner article explores how proposed H-2A reforms and recent wage-rate changes could affect Northeast agricultural employers, including workforce access, labor costs, program flexibility and compliance—and what these evolving policies may mean for the future of farm labor.

October 5, 2026

Farm workers harvesting vegetables in a field near a red tractor with a wagon

Latest From Today's Harvest Blog

Two agronomists checking the quality of a corn crop.
Business Tips and Tools
Data, Dollars and Decisions: Turning Financial Data into Confident Farm Decisions

Farmers have more production and financial data than ever, but using it effectively is the real challenge. Learn how partial budgeting can help evaluate investments, weigh income and expenses, and make confident business decisions. The GenerationNext program helps producers build the financial management skills needed to strengthen their farms for the future.

October 6, 2026

Featured Webinar

Bunches of harvested grapes
Business Tips and Tools
Wine and Grape Outlook Webinar

Join Farm Credit East and Horizon Farm Credit as they host Andrew Adams, from WineBusiness Analytics, covering what's ahead for the wine and grape industry in 2027.

November 12, 2026

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Tag: apple 
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

Mature red apple growing on tree branch
Crop Insurance
USDA Risk Management Agency Announces Emergency Claim Procedures for New York Apple Growers Following Spring Freeze

Following the devastating spring freeze that damaged apple orchards across key production regions, USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) has announced emergency procedures to accelerate crop insurance claim processing and indemnity payments for impacted New York apple growers.  

July 08, 2026

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 02, 2026

Ripe juicy red apples in a container. Production facilities of large warehouse - grading, packing and storage of crops.
Ag Economy
2026 Apple Outlook: High Supply with Tight Margins

The U.S. apple industry is moving a lot of fruit, but profitability is being squeezed by heavy supply, stubborn demand and rising costs. Farm Credit East recently hosted a webinar with Chris Gerlach of USApple for an overview of the industry. The following are key points growers should be aware of as they plan orchard decisions, labor and marketing for the season ahead. 

May 19, 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