Knowledge Exchange

First Quarter 2020

Coronavirus Testing Labor and Supply Chains of Essential Rural Industries

COVID-19 has brought the U.S. economy to a screeching halt, and ushered in a recession in the process. The number of U.S. coronavirus cases is now expected to peak by late April, and the economy should begin to come back to life in May. 

Topics In this Issue:

• COVID-19 Disrupts Labor, Supply Chains and Consumer Behavior
• Macro Economic Outlook
• California’s Water Law will Stress Irrigators

Second Quarter 2019

Stalled Trade Talks, Record Rains Upend Agriculture

Global economic growth continues to slide as tariffs drag on global trade and manufacturing. In April, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected that global growth in 2019 would slow to 3.3%, down from 3.6% in 2018, as trade tensions take a bigger toll on business confidence.

First Quarter 2019

Agriculture Still Waiting for Relief

U.S. agriculture is poised for serious challenges for the remainder of 2019. Large grain and oilseed supplies, continuing increases in global animal protein and dairy production and major trade uncertainties will prevail for much of the year. At the same time, U.S. and global economic growth rates will slow.

Fourth Quarter 2018

Agriculture Limps into 2019

Agriculture and its farmer cooperatives will face a challenging environment in 2019. Commodity markets have steadied, but resolution of ongoing trade disputes and completion of recently concluded trade negotiations will be critical to restoring optimism for the year ahead.

Third Quarter 2018

Rising Output Compressing Agricultural Margins

Ongoing trade negotiations and disputes continue to be a disruptive factor in both the short-term and long-term outlook for U.S. agriculture and its farmer cooperatives.

Strong growth in the U.S. and global economies will support demand in the domestic and export markets through much of 2019.

Second Quarter 2018

Trade War Rhetoric Shifts to Reality

The world’s two largest economies, the U.S. and China, are driving growth in the global economy. At the same time, the emerging markets are benefitting from growth in the advanced economies and global trade has broadened the base for economic growth.