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

Who Takes The Fall? Liability Limitations for Agritourism Activity Hosts

Autumn ushers in a season of outdoor agritourism activities across the Northeast — from hayrides to fruit picking. These activities come with a measure of risk, and understanding liability is crucial. In this month's Knowledge Exchange Partner, contributors Charles F. Gfeller and Anna-Kate M. Munsey of Gfeller Laurie LLP, examine the types of agritourism liability laws enacted by Northeast state.

October 14, 2025

Rows of harvested pumpkins for sale at rural farm with autumn activities in the background.

Latest From Today's Harvest Blog

Farm workers harvesting vegetables in a field near a red tractor with a wagon
Business Tips and Tools
Key Updates to H-2A Adverse Effect Wage Rates for Northeast Agricultural Employers

On October 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a new Interim Final Rule (IFR) that significantly revises how Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWRs) are calculated for H-2A guestworkers. AEWRs set the minimum hourly wages that must be paid to H-2A workers and those in corresponding employment. This rule introduces major changes affecting wage structures across Farm Credit East’s eight-state region, with important implications for farm operations and labor management.

November 4, 2025

Featured Webinar

Business Tips and Tools
Connecticut Investment Tax Credit Webinar

Join Farm Credit East and Connecticut Farm Bureau for an informative webinar to learn how Connecticut Investment Tax Credit can benefit your operation.

October 27, 2025

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Knowledge Exchange Partner
Dairy Markets Show Both Upside and Concern

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.

June 09, 2025

Rear view of a farm working driving a tractor pulling a plow, tilling a field of soil with a small cloud of dust. Green trees in the background on a sunny day with some clouds in the sky.
Knowledge Exchange Partner
Farm Credit East Knowledge Exchange Industry Snapshots

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.

April 29, 2025

A display of red ripe Macoun apples - a sweet crisp eating apple from the Hudson Valley of New York State.
Knowledge Exchange Partner
2025 Apple Industry Outlook: Headwinds Persist in the U.S.

This month's Knowledge Exchange Partner article contributed by Chris Gerlach, of USApple reviews 2024 industry data and discusses 2025 pricing projections and changes to the export markets. It also explores potential direct and indirect impacts of tariffs.

April 01, 2025

Evergreen forest canopy view from the ground
Knowledge Exchange Partner
2025 Forest Products Outlook: Softwood markets remain weak

The forest products industry is navigating a complex landscape in 2025. With the resumption of a 25% tariff on U.S. imports of Canadian goods, the market faces significant uncertainty. This article delves into the implications of these tariffs, the state of the North American housing market, and the forecast for softwood lumber consumption.

March 03, 2025

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