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

United States Citizenship and Immigration Service Clears H-2A Path for Dairy Employers

A new USCIS policy is opening the door for dairy producers to access the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program, a workforce option that has long been out of reach for year-round dairy operations. This month’s Knowledge Exchange Partner discusses how the updated guidance could help dairies address labor shortages, support seasonal workforce planning and navigate new petition requirements moving forward. Republished with permission courtesy of Harris Beach Murtha Attorneys at Law.

July 7, 2026

Cow milking facility and mechanized milking equipment

Latest From Today's Harvest Blog

Picture of Megan Clancy, Farm Credit East Risk Advisor standing in a dairy barn with black and white cows in the background
Farm Credit
Employee Spotlight: A Day in the Life of a Dairy Risk Management Advisor

Shifting dairy markets and late-day price updates are daily challenges for Dairy & Livestock Risk Management Senior Advisor Megan Clancy. Read on as Megan shares what a typical week looks like, why collaboration matters and how her work helps protect dairy farms across the Northeast for the long haul. 

July 14, 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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Tag: taxes 
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Financial Management
Important Update on New York Farm Employer Overtime Tax Credit Refunds

After filing their 2025 tax returns, Farm Credit East learned that many farm taxpayers received an adjustment notice from New York State reducing the amount of their requested refund. The adjustments stemmed from a disallowance of the Farm Employer Overtime Tax Credit claimed on form CT- or IT-661.  

July 17, 2026

A young farmer talking to another individual with a tablet in a crop field with green netting
Business Tips and Tools
A Smarter Safety Net: What the New USDA Payment Rules Mean for Your Farm

Effective with the 2026 crop year, USDA has updated payment limitations and eligibility rules. This change modernizes how benefits are calculated and who qualifies, providing more flexibility for today’s farm operations. 

June 30, 2026

Woman in front of tractor in agriculture field holding and looking at a laptop computer, with tax talk logo in corner
Tax Talks
Highlights from the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 NYS Budget

Following three-months of delays, the New York State legislature has passed the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 (FY 26-27) budget. The final budget, signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hocul, includes many provisions relevant to our farm and agribusiness customers. The following are a few highlights of the recently passed legislation. 

June 04, 2026

Two farmers in a crop field looking at a tablet
Tax Talks
Research & Development Tax Credits for Farms: A Case Study

Northeast farms innovate every day—and some of that experimentation may qualify for the federal Research & Development tax credit. Using a recent U.S. Tax Court case, we shed some light on how the credit works, what expenses may count, and why strong, documentation can make or break a claim.

April 22, 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