- The overall index slipped slightly to growth neutral.
- More than three-fourths of bank CEOs reported a shortage of qualified or skilled workers was having a negative impact on economic growth.
- On average, bankers project farmland prices will decline by another 3 percent over the next 12 months.
- Due to weak farm income, almost one fourth of bankers reported rejecting a higher percentage of farmer loan applications and approximately 60.9 percent reported boosting collateral on farm loans.
- Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming below growth neutral for month.
Overall: The index, which ranges between 0 and 100, dipped to 50.0 from 50.1 in May. Prior to May, the last time the overall index was at or above growth neutral was August 2015.
“Stabilizing and slightly improving farm commodity prices helped push the overall index at or above growth neutral for the last two months,” said Ernie Goss, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University's Heider College of Business. “Though grain prices remain below breakeven for most farmers, recent improvements in cattle and hog prices have boosted the overall index for Rural Mainstreet Economy to growth neutral.”
One bank CEO reported the recent rally in cattle prices, has been a positive with early contracts.
Jim Eckert, president of Anchor State Bank in Anchor, Illinois, said, “Crops in Central Illinois are looking better than in other areas of the state, but the area is much dryer than north or south and there is not much prospect of rain in the immediate future.”
This month, and in August 2016, bank CEOs were asked to project the change in farmland prices for the next year. On average, bankers this month projected a 3.1 percent decline in agriculture over the next 12 months. This is a significant improvement from August when bankers expected a decline of 7 percent for the next 12 months.
The June farm equipment-sales index fell to 26.2 from 26.8 in May. This marks the 46th consecutive month the reading has fallen below growth neutral 50.0.
Banking: Borrowing by farmers was very strong for June as the loan-volume index climbed to 78.3 from last month’s 74.5. The checking-deposit index was unchanged at 48.9, while the index for certificates of deposit and other savings instruments sank to 41.3 from 46.6 in May.
Due to weak farm income, almost one fourth of bankers report rejecting a higher percentage of farmer loan applications and approximately 60.9 percent reported boosting collateral on farm loans.
However, James Brown, CEO of Hardin County Savings Bank in Eldora, Iowa, indicated bank reactions have been complex. Brown said, “The vast majority of our farm customers have not been asked for additional collateral and have not required any restructuring. If we have another year like the last two, there will definitely be some.”
Hiring: The job gauge dropped to a still strong 58.9 from May’s 60.1. Rural Mainstreet businesses not linked to agriculture increased hiring for the month at a healthy pace.
Confidence: The confidence index, which reflects expectations for the economy six months out, expanded to a weak 48.9 from 46.6 in May, indicating a continued pessimistic outlook among bankers. “As livestock prices have improved, banker’s economic outlook has advanced, but still reflects lackluster economic confidence,” said Goss.
Home and Retail Sales: Home sales moved higher for the Rural Mainstreet economy, but at a slower pace than for May. The June reading decreased to 58.8 from May’s very healthy 63.6. The June retail-sales index plummeted to 41.3 from May’s 48.9. “Much like their urban counterparts, Rural Mainstreet retailers are experiencing significant pullbacks in sales,” reported Goss.
This survey represents an early snapshot of the economy of rural agriculturally and energy-dependent portions of the nation. The Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) is a unique index covering 10 regional states, focusing on approximately 200 rural communities with an average population of 1,300. It gives the most current real-time analysis of the rural economy. Goss and Bill McQuillan, former chairman of the Independent Community Banks of America, created the monthly economic survey in 2005.
Colorado: Colorado’s Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) advanced to 50.2 from 48.4 in May. The farmland and ranchland-price index expanded to 40.1 from May’s 35.2. Colorado’s hiring index for June rose to 62.1 from May’s 56.9. Illinois: The June RMI for Illinois increased to 50.6 from 49.2 in May. The farmland-price index expanded to 40.4 from May’s 29.4. The state’s new-hiring index advanced to 64.0 from last month’s 55.1. Jeff Bonnett, president of Havana National Bank in Havana, said, “The most relevant factor to the downturn in our economy, like the rest of the state, with the exception of Chicago, is the lack of leadership in state government. We have not had a budget, let alone a balanced budget for three years now. The impact on state universities and other state agencies along with doctors, dentists, pharmacists and health care specialists has been drastic.” Iowa: The June RMI for Iowa climbed to 50.5 from 49.4 in May. Iowa’s farmland-price index for June rose to 40.5 from 34.9 in May. Iowa’s new-hiring index for June jumped to 64.3 from May’s 60.8. James Brown, CEO of Hardin County Savings Bank in Eldora, indicated, “Cattle profits are definitely a bright spot at the moment. Just not very many cattle feeders anymore.” Kansas: The Kansas RMI for June sank to 47.6 from May’s 48.8. The state’s farmland-price index increased to 39.2 from 35.5 in May. The new-hiring index for Kansas declined to 55.9 from 58.9 in May. Minnesota: The June RMI for Minnesota climbed to 51.7, a regional high, from May’s 50.6. Minnesota’s farmland-price index rose to 41.1 from 36.7 in May. The new-hiring index for the state climbed to a strong 68.1 from last month’s 66.9. According to Pete Haddeland, CEO of the First National Bank in Mahnomen, “Farmland values are holding steady.” | Missouri: The June RMI for Missouri fell to 51.6 from 53.7 in May. The farmland-price index improved to 41.0 from May’s 38.8. Missouri’s new-hiring index declined to a strong 68.1 from 80.8 in May. Nebraska: The Nebraska RMI for June climbed to 51.4 from May’s 50.5. The state’s farmland-price index rose to 40.9 from 36.7 in May. Nebraska’s new-hiring index expanded to 67.4 from 66.4 in May. As reported by one Nebraska bank CEO, “Dryness and heat are starting to have an effect on crops in Northeast Nebraska.” North Dakota: The North Dakota RMI for June rose to 48.7 from May’s 45.7. The farmland-price index bounced higher to 40.9 from May’s 33.4. North Dakota’s new-hiring index jumped to 55.4 from 45.1 in May. South Dakota: The June RMI for South Dakota slipped to 47.2 from May’s 47.3. The farmland-price index increased to 38.1 from May’s 34.5. South Dakota's new-hiring index sank to 48.9 from May’s 52.1. Wyoming: The June RMI for Wyoming advanced to a weak 48.1 from May’s 47.5. The June farmland and ranchland-price index expanded to 38.7 from May’s 34.7. Wyoming’s new-hiring index sank to 52.7 from 53.2 in May. |
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