Agriculture

ABA: Report Finds Farm Bank Lending Increased to $110 Billion in 2023

Banks reported holding over 1.1 million small farm loans worth $70 billion Amid elevated production costs, commodity price volatility and a return to pre-pandemic levels of direct government payments, agricultural loan demand increased in 2023 and agricultural lending by U.S. farm banks grew 6.7% to $110.0 billion, according the American Bankers Association’s annual Farm Bank…

EDA: $1.75 Million Invested to Expand Agribusiness Sector in Cass County, IN

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.8 million grant to Cass County, Indiana, for road infrastructure upgrades at the Cass County Agribusiness Park. This project will increase business operations and provide continued industrial growth in a region impacted by changes in the energy…

ABA: Banker and Professor Receive Top Ag Banking Awards

The American Bankers Association today announced the recipients of its annual Bruning and Blanchfield Awards, the association’s premier awards presented for significant contributions to agricultural banking. ABA will honor Leonard Wolfe, president and CEO of United Bank and Trust based in Marysville, Kan. with the Bruning Award and Robert Craven, associate director of the Center…

EDA: $31.1 Million Invested to Support Agricultural Production and Processing in Southwestern Washington

 Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3.1 million grant to the Port of Chehalis in Chehalis, Washington, to bolster agricultural production and processing in southwestern Washington.  This grant will support the construction of a grain storage and rail transload facility at the port. This…

ABA: Farm Bank Report Shows Ag Lending Up 6 Percent in 2017

Strong performance, asset quality and capital levels in 2017 U.S farm banks increased agricultural lending by nearly 6 percent, or $5.9 billion, to $106 billion in 2017, according to the American Bankers Association’s annual Farm Bank Performance Report. Asset quality remained healthy at the nation’s 1,847 farm banks as non-performing loans fell to a pre-recession…

ABA: Ag Lender Survey – Farm Profitability Still Down but Improving

ABA and Farmer Mac survey shows lenders slightly more optimistic Eighty-two percent of agricultural lenders reported a decline in farm profitability in the last 12 months, according to a joint survey by the American Bankers Association and the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac; NYSE: AGM and AGM.A). Despite the continued decline, the survey of…

ABA: Prestigious Ag Banking Award Goes to Pennsylvania Banker

The American Bankers Association Center for Agricultural and Rural Banking will present Pennsylvania banker Michael H. Firestine with its annual Bruning Award for his leadership and outstanding dedication to providing credit and financial guidance to farmers, ranchers and rural businesses. ​The award will be presented at the ABA National Agricultural Bankers Conference in Milwaukee on…

USDA: Agency Seeks Information on Existing Rules for Modification or Repeal

Pursuant to Executive Order 13777, “Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda” the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is requesting information to assist in identifying existing regulations that should be modified or repealed. USDA requests comments on several questions including the following: regulations that result in the elimination of jobs, or inhibit job creation; regulations that…