AgConditions

The Chicago Fed collects data on a variety of agricultural business conditions and conducts research on selected topics.

Perspectives on the Future of Agriculture in the Midwest

On December 1, 2009, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago will hold a conference to examine issues that will shape the future of agriculture in the Midwest. This conference will gather experts from academia, industry, and policy institutions to discuss aspects of possibilities for agriculture and the Midwest. The goals of the conference include exploring factors that will impact the future directions of Midwest agriculture, particularly its composition and structure; examining the implications of the changing agricultural landscape for rural and urban communities, as well as industry; and discussing the policy implications and the role that policies play in guiding agriculture toward the future.

Check out additional details, including registration and hotel information.

Agricultural Markets and Food Price Inflation

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago held a conference on the economic impacts of volatile agricultural costs and food price inflation. The presentations from this conference can be downloaded here.

Land Value and Credit Conditions Survey

Representatives of participating banks provide information quarterly on land values and credit conditions in the areas they serve.

Take the current Land Value and Credit Conditions Survey

AgLetter

A newsletter published four times each year on agricultural land values and credit conditions using data from our quarterly survey.

In the latest edition of AgLetter

Farmland values still down from last year
According to the most recent AgLetter, farmland values for the third quarter of 2009 were 4 percent lower than a year ago in the Seventh District. However, there was an increase of 2 percent in the value of "good" agricultural land in the third quarter compared with the second quarter of 2009. (PDF,333)

Historical Data

Historical data on credit conditions at Seventh District agricultural banks and on farmland values in the Seventh District are available for download as spreadsheets. Recent data for credit conditions are also available on the third page of the AgLetter.
credit_conditions_7th_district.xls (XLS,37KB)
land_values_7th_district.xls (XLS,15KB)