Today’s Harvest Blog

Today’s Harvest is a valued, timely resource for stories, news, tips and information relevant to Northeast agriculture and our customers.
Farm tractor in a field during the fall harvest

Latest From Today's Harvest Blog

Business Tips and Tools

Key Updates to H-2A Adverse Effect Wage Rates for Northeast Agricultural Employers

Austin Weaver

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

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

Latest Tax Talk

male farmer working on a laptop computer on his truck hood in front of a cow pen
Tax Talks
Maximizing Your Farm’s Bottom Line: Income and Expense Reporting

Filing farm taxes doesn’t have to be confusing. The IRS requires you to report all income unless specifically excluded, and only deduct expenses that are both ordinary—common in farming—and necessary—helpful for your business. Understanding these basics can save you time and stress.

October 27, 2025

Today's Harvest Blog

Tag: lumber 
Timber being harvested and loaded onto a truck
Ag Economy
Key Factors to Watch in the Forest Products Market for 2025

With a challenging housing market and a resumption of 25% tariff on U.S. imports of Canadian goods, what is at store for the forest products industry for 2025? Farm Credit recently hosted a webinar with Paul Jannke, of Forest Economic Advisors, to present a 2025 forest products industry outlook. Below are key takeaways on current housing market trends, inflationary pressures and economic factors that are affecting the industry. 

 

April 08, 2025

Ag Economy
2024 Forest Products Outlook Summary

2023 was a challenging year for wood products markets. Rising interest rates hampered demand while capacity ramped up across the south. Paul Jannke, a forest industry expert with Forest Economic Advisors (FEA), recently presented his perspective on the region’s forest product markets and economic outlook.

April 26, 2024

Ag Economy
2023 Outlook for the Forest Products Industry

Forest Economic Advisors, LLC (FEA) examines the forest product markets over the coming year. Rising interest and mortgage rates will most likely cause economic activity to slow in 2023. This is expected to be short lived, however, with optimism on the horizon in 2024. Read the full report. 

February 28, 2023

Meet the Authors

Connect with and discover our Today’s Harvest blog authors and their broad range of financial and northeast agricultural expertise.