The latest Creighton University Rural Mainstreet survey shows nearly 63 percent of rural bank CEOs in Minnesota and nine other Midwest states believe the rural economy is either in a recession now or will sink into recession next year. Creighton University Economist Ernie Goss directs the survey and calculates a monthly economic index for the region. Goss says it has fallen to its lowest level since May of 2020.

Over 18 percent of the rural bankers who responded to the survey expect farmers in their area to wind up earning less than they spent raising crops and livestock this year.

Studies have shown that about 58 percent of these bank CEOs in rural Minnesota expect farmland prices to fall next year.

We’re approaching the end of 2025, which means that some producers are planning ahead for the 2026 season. BASF Crop Protection Marketing Director Brady Spangenberg says one thing they learned from last year was that the people who put together an early plan were some of the most successful. 

If you do lock in a plan early Spangenberg says it can always be adjusted if needed. 

Spangenberg also shared some of his other lessons from this past season.

For more agricultural news and programming, go to the Farm News webpage at rjbroadcasting.com. 

AUDIO FROM: Red River Farm Network

Thanksgiving is right around the corner which means many households will be cooking, and it is the number one Day of the Year for cooking fires in the United States with an estimated 388 percent increase over the daily average. For this reason, Tina Sanders of Safe Kids Grand Forks says that people need to take extra precaution while cooking over the Holiday.

Sanders says people also need to be prepared to take the proper response when it comes to grease fires.

You can see more cooking safety materials on the American Red Cross website at www.redcross.org.