 | Purdue Ag Econ NewsMarch 2026 |  | Binayak Kunwar - Graduate Ag Research Spotlight | “This might sound very weird,” Binayak Kunwar says, “but my first impression of the United States was that the sky here was too big.”
It’s not weird at all when you consider where Kunwar grew up — outside the Nepali city of Pokhara, at the foothills of the Annapurna Range, which contain three of the world’s 10 highest peaks. Coming from there to the flat Midwest was an understandable shock.
But geography aside, Kunwar was thrilled to join the agricultural economics department at Purdue. As an undergrad studying agriculture in Nepal, he’d become increasingly interested in economics.
“At some point I realized farming isn’t just about soil and seeds. It’s about risk, prices and trade-offs,” Kunwar says. “That’s when I knew I wanted to study agricultural economics.”
Having a friend who had attended Purdue, he knew about the agricultural economics department’s strong reputation. He began his master’s degree in 2022 and stayed on to work for a PhD. He expects to graduate with his doctorate in 2027.
As a master’s student, Kunwar’s advisor was Todd Kuethe, Schrader Chair in Farmland Economics. Kunwar’s thesis, “Impact of Commercial and Utility-Scale Solar Energy on Farmland Prices,” received the Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award from the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
Kunwar is continuing his work on farmland economics with his PhD advisor, assistant professor of agricultural finance Chad Fiechter. His research involves analyzing factors influencing farmland pricing. For example: When farmland is converted to renewable energy generation, such as wind farms, how does that impact the price of nearby land? One of Kunwar’s projects looks at what happened when the Indiana Economic Development Corp. purchased thousands of acres in Boone County for a planned high-tech business park.
“We have done some analysis, and the results are pretty interesting,” he says. “Land prices have increased 40 to 50 percent in the county, and around 7 percent in neighboring counties.”
Kunwar is particularly interested in the impact of data centers on land prices.
“The ‘cloud,’” he says, is a metaphor. “Data gets stored on land, and these big data centers require a lot of land, electricity and other resources.”
Kunwar is designing an experiment to better understand how buyers and sellers come to their final prices for land sales. Available data, he says, only lists the final sale prices. But what factors influenced the price along the way? He’s recruiting two dozen participants to play a sort of agricultural economics war game, giving “buyers” and “sellers” different information in different rounds to see how it affects their decisions. “To the best of my knowledge, this is not something that has been done before,” he says.
Kunwar says his advisor, Chad Fiechter, is “awesome. He’s very easy to talk to, he’s got a lot of great ideas, he’s very easy to receive feedback from. Everything I’ve learned about research has been from him and Dr. Kuethe.”
Kunwar has had the opportunity to attend multiple conferences and present his own research. He’s also been a member of the Ag Econ Graduate Student Organization.
Kunwar hopes to get a job in academia. “I like doing research and asking questions,” he says. “The best way to do that is being on faculty and focusing on research and Extension.” He hopes his work will give farmers, landowners and policy makers more information to guide their decisions.
When he’s not working, Kunwar enjoys cooking, reading (he’s in the middle of John Steinbeck’s “East of Eden,” about farming families in California’s Salinas Valley), and playing soccer.
As for the flat landscape and the “too big” sky?
“I’ve adapted quite well,” Kunwar says. “I love it here at Purdue.”
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|  | Farm policy expert Mary Kay Thatcher to discuss evolving ag policy landscape at James C. Snyder Memorial Lecture | The Purdue University Department of Agricultural Economics will host Mary Kay Thatcher, agricultural policy expert and farm bill specialist, as the guest speaker for the 2026 James C. Snyder Memorial Lecture.
The lecture, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on April 17 in the College of Agriculture’s Deans Auditorium (Room 241), located in David C. Pfendler Hall, 715 Mitch Daniels Blvd.
Since beginning her career in 1981 as an agricultural legislative assistant to Roger Jepsen, Thatcher has helped shape nine farm bills, contributing to legislation such as the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 while advancing improvements to crop insurance programs and agricultural data privacy standards. Thatcher’s lecture, “It’s Not Your Parents’ Ag Policy Environment,” will examine the rapidly evolving agricultural policy landscape, including the upcoming election, potential changes in Congress and the challenges and opportunities shaping agriculture’s future.
“Agricultural policy today looks very different from what it did even a generation ago,” Thatcher said. “Understanding those changes is essential as farmers, agribusiness leaders and policymakers think about the future of the farm safety net and the broader agricultural economy.”
With more than four decades of experience in agricultural policy, Thatcher has held leadership roles at the American Farm Bureau Federation, the Farm Credit Administration, on Capitol Hill and at Syngenta. She currently serves as president of MK Thatcher Consulting and operates her family’s Iowa farm.
The 51st annual lecture continues the tradition of bringing distinguished thought leaders in economics and business to Purdue University. The James C. Snyder Memorial Lecture was established in 1975 in honor of a respected Purdue professor whose pioneering research in agricultural economics and quantitative analysis left a lasting impact on the field. Snyder’s contributions to education, industry and research continue to inspire generations of scholars and professionals.
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|  | Experts examine trade, policy and economic trends in 2026 Purdue Agricultural Economics Report | Economic uncertainty, shifting trade policies and questions surrounding the future of the U.S. farm bill are among the key focus areas that experts in Purdue University’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension program say could influence agriculture and rural communities in the coming year. Their analysis appears in the 2026 Purdue Agricultural Economics Report (PAER) annual outlook issue, one of the most comprehensive editions in recent years and a reflection of the department’s extensive engagement with matters affecting agriculture and rural communities.
“The 2026 PAER outlook issue brings together perspectives from across the department to help readers better understand the economic and policy environment facing agriculture,” said Roman Keeney, associate professor of agricultural economics and co-editor of the report.
The 2026 outlook edition starts with articles exploring broader economic and policy issues, including the U.S. economic outlook, trade policy and regional economic indicators. The second section focuses on traditional agricultural outlook topics, with articles addressing agricultural commodities and markets, as well as farmland and agricultural credit. The issue concludes with articles that apply new measures to analyze Indiana’s economic performance from a community perspective.
The report points to modest U.S. economic growth in 2026, with inflation expected to remain near 2.5% and unemployment holding steady in the mid-4% range. Trade policy developments and ongoing farm bill uncertainty continue to be major concerns, particularly for export-oriented agriculture. At the farm level, higher livestock receipts and government payments are projected to support an increase in net farm income despite weaker crop revenues.
“With many recent and upcoming economic and policy changes affecting agriculture, this year’s issue covers a wider range of topics than usual,” Keeney said. “These articles offer insights into trends that producers, businesses and policymakers will want to watch closely.”
The report provides an outlook for the following topics: - From Assets to Well-being: A Conceptual Framework for Community Vitality
- Authors: Michael Wilcox, Community and Regional Economics Specialist, Assistant Director Community Development; Jeffrey Walker, Community Vitality Specialist; Zuzana Bednarik, Research and Extension Specialist; DeAndre Malone, Graduate Research Assistant
- The Outlook for the U.S. Economy in 2026
- Author: Larry DeBoer, Professor Emeritus and Purdue Extension Specialist
- Learning International Economics the Hard Way
- Author: Russell Hillberry, Professor of Agricultural Economics
- Is There a Future for the U.S. Farm Bill?
- Author: Roman Keeney, Agricultural Economics Associate Professor, Extension & Outreach Coordinator
- The Economic Situation of the North Central Region and a Zoom in on Indiana: An Analysis Using the NCR-Stat Baseline Survey
- Authors: Ivanna Carrillo-Siller, Agricultural Economics Graduate Research Assistant; Laura Montenovo, Agricultural Economics Assistant Professor, State and Local Finance
- Employment and Wage Trends in the U.S., the Midwest and Indiana: Overall and in Agriculture
- Authors: Ivanna Carrillo-Siller, Agricultural Economics Graduate Research Assistant; Laura Montenovo, Agricultural Economics Assistant Professor, State and Local Finance
- Farm Income Outlook for Indiana
- Author: Michael Langemeier, Professor of Agricultural Economics
- 2026 Purdue Crop Cost and Return Guide
- Author: Michael Langemeier, Professor of Agricultural Economics
- Corn and Soybean Outlook
- Author: Mindy Mallory, Associate Professor, Clearing Corp Endowed Chair in Food & Agricultural Marketing
- “What to Watch” in Dairy Markets in 2026
- Authors: Nicole Olynk Widmar, Department Head and Professor of Agricultural Economics; Joscelyn Pilcher, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- 2026 Agricultural Credit Outlook
- Authors: Joshua Strine, Ph.D. Student, Agricultural Economics; Morgan Mastrianni, Ph.D. Student, Agricultural Economics
- 2026 Farmland and Cash Rent Outlook
- Authors: Binayak Kunwar, Ph.D. Student, Agricultural Economics; Todd Kuethe, Professor of Agricultural Economics, Schrader Chair in Farmland Economics
- Caring Stress Index: What is Happening in Indiana and the Midwest?
- Authors: Laura Montenovo, Agricultural Economics Assistant Professor, State and Local Finance; Roberto Gallardo, Agricultural Economics Associate Professor, Vice President for Engagement; Maria Marshall, James and Lois Ackerman Professor of Agricultural Economics
- How is Indiana Doing? Community Vitality and Well-being in the North Central Region
- Authors: Michael Wilcox, Community and Regional Economics Specialist, Assistant Director Community Development; DeAndre Malone, Graduate Research Assistant; Zuzana Bednarik, Research and Extension Specialist; Jeffrey Walker, Community Vitality Specialist
The PAER is a quarterly publication from the Department of Agricultural Economics. Articles in the annual outlook issue are intended to provide a roadmap for understanding challenges facing the agricultural economy. | |
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|  | Semester at Sea has given me a new appreciation of the sheer size of the African continent. We started our journey around Africa with a stop in Kenya on February 18, and we are currently approaching our final African port, Morocco, with planned arrival on April 2. In our most recent port of Ghana, my economic development course spent a day at a fair-trade chocolate company. We got to follow the production process from the field to the packaged bar, and, best of all, we were able to taste each step of the process: the tart cacao fruit, the fermented nibs, the liquor and butter, and the final bar. This experience gave a rich context to our typical classroom discussions on topics like market incentives, asymmetric information (“lemons”), and value-added production.
-Todd Kuethe Professor, Schrader Endowed Chair in Farmland Economics
Todd is currently on sabbatical, teaching Semester at Sea. This monthly series is written by Todd as he and his family explore the world of agriculture. |
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| | Extension in Action with Angie Abbott (PAEP 123)
In this episode of the Purdue Agricultural Economics Podcast, Reagan and Brady sit down with Angie Abbott, Associate Dean and Director of Purdue Extension. Abbott discusses how Extension connects Purdue research with real-world decision-making in agriculture, communities, and youth development.
The conversation highlights the future of Extension, including regional service models, workforce development, and emerging technologies like AI, offering insight for students, producers and community leaders interested in people-centered leadership and the land-grant mission.
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| How the Wine Industry Is Evolving with Dr. Christian Butzke (PAEP 124)
In this episode of the Purdue Agricultural Economics Podcast, Ken Foster and student co-host Brady Wiley sit down with Christian Butzke, a professor in Purdue’s Department of Food Science.
Dr. Butzke discusses the growth of Indiana’s wine industry, emerging trends like non-alcoholic beverages, and how science and innovation are shaping the future of wine production. He also shares insights from his popular wine appreciation course, where students explore the global history, culture, and science behind wine.
The conversation highlights how universities like Purdue play a role in supporting entrepreneurs, translating research into real-world solutions, and preparing students to blend science, business, and innovation in their careers.
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| Talking Ethanol, Solar and the Future of Farm Energy with Dr. Otto Doering (PAEP 125)
Tune in for a thoughtful conversation with Professor Emeritus Dr. Otto Doering as he explores the evolving intersection of agriculture and the energy sector. From the early development of ethanol policy to emerging solar opportunities and the growing energy demands driven by data centers, Doering unpacks how these industries have become increasingly intertwined.
Drawing on decades of experience in agricultural economics, he examines the market forces, policy decisions and technological shifts shaping both sectors today. The discussion goes beyond headlines, diving into how changes to the electric grid, rural land use and global energy trends directly impact farmers, communities and consumers.
Grounded in both economic analysis and personal reflection, Doering also considers the role of values in decision-making, reminding listeners that the future of agriculture and energy will be shaped not only by innovation and investment, but by the priorities we choose to uphold.
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AWARDS AND APPOINTMENTS
| Ro & Shorty Whittington Matching Program
The College of Agriculture is excited to offer a unique opportunity for donors to double their impact through the newly available Ro & Shorty Whittington Student Experience matching Program to create new Student Experience Endowments. These endowments, which begin at $50,000, provide life‑enriching support that allows undergraduates to grow beyond the classroom through national conference travel, professional development workshops, off‑campus learning experiences, capstone projects, judging teams, undergraduate research, community‑building events, and more. Every new student experience endowment will be matched dollar‑for‑dollar up to $200,000, making now an especially powerful moment to invest. Our long‑term goal is to establish a Student Experience Endowment in every department across the College of Agriculture to ensure all students benefit from enhanced experiential learning. If you are interested in creating a new endowment, please reach out to Luke Brenneman, Development Officer, at LDBrenneman@purdueforlife.org or 765-494-3717. And remember, we offer a five‑year pledge period, so your gift can be fulfilled over time—you don’t have to fund it all at once. Your contribution doesn’t just support programs; it opens doors, launches careers, and truly changes lives. | |
|  | Congratulations to the three Ag Econ alumni (Jason Brantley, Casey Zeller and Jill Zeller) on being named our 2026 Apex Awardees. Each will be honored at 9:30 am on Friday, April 17, as part of the 51st Snyder Lecture day of events.
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|  | Jason P.H. Brantley (MBA ’02, business administration and management) is Vice President, Production Systems, Small Agriculture & Turf, for John Deere. He is responsible for leading John Deere’s agricultural machinery and technology business focused on utility and mid tractors, high-value crop solutions and dairy and livestock solutions globally.
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|  | Casey Zeller (B.S. ’10, agricultural economics) is the Director of Turf & Ornamental at SePRO Corporation, where he leads a team responsible for sales and marketing initiatives that support product innovation, brand development and business growth. Since joining SePRO in 2021, Casey has played a key role in strengthening the company’s turf and ornamental portfolio.
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|  | Jill Zeller (B.S. ’09, agricultural economics and agricultural communications) is a dynamic marketing leader who’s built her career in agriculture by combining strategic thinking with a deep understanding of the people and markets she serves. As the Portfolio Marketing Leader for Land Management at Corteva Agriscience, Jill helps drive growth by managing complex product portfolios and bringing cross-functional teams together around a shared vision.
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|  | University policy requires that Distinguished and Named Professors be reviewed every five years, and we recently celebrated the renewal of Maria Marshall’s named professorship, the James and Lois Ackerman Endowed Chair in Agricultural Economics, during which she gave the seminar “Connecting the Dots: Integrating Family Business Research, Disaster Recovery and Rural Development.” |  |  | |
|  | PhD student Bukade Adesina earned Bronze Distinction at Purdue’s One Health and Well Being Research Event poster competition for his research, “The market for safe food in informal settings: Experimental evidence from cyanide in Nigeria.”
Advised by Jonathan Bauchet, Adesina’s work explores food safety challenges in informal markets, highlighting the role of economic incentives in reducing health risks. |
AG ECON IN THE NEWS
| Here is a sampling of recent news reports about Purdue Ag Econ from the college and media across the nation.
Wallaces Farmer How do Midwestern soybean costs compare to Brazil’s?, Joana Colussi and Michael Langemeier (published March 24, 2026) Why corn isn’t lower than $4 per bushel, Michael Langemeier (published March 12, 2026)
Agri-View Take a look at Brazil’s soybeans, Michael Langemeier and Joana Colussi (published March 22, 2026)
The Farmer’s Exchange Ag Economist Shares Pros, Cons of Data Centers, Roberto Gallardo (published March 20, 2026) Report Shows Stable Corn Basis, but the Soybean Basis Varies, Josh Strine (published February 27, 2026)
National Today AgrIInstitute Hosts Leadership and Legacy Benefit, Jay Akridge (published March 20, 2026)
Hoosier Ag Today Investing in the Future: AgrIInstitute Hosts Leadership and Legacy Benefit Featuring Purdue’s Jay Akridge (published March 19, 2026)
MSN People who rarely waste food shop completely differently. Here’s what they do., Brenna Ellison (published March 19, 2026)
FarmWeek Now Falling profits could slow soy expansion in Brazil, Michael Langemeier and Joana Colussi (published March 19, 2026)
Marketplace Wholesale vegetable price spikes might not show up in your grocery bill — yet, Joe Balagtas (published March 18, 2026)
Successful Farming Brazil Heads for a Record Soybean Harvest as Farm Margins Approach Breakeven, Joana Colussi and Michael Langemeier (published March 17, 2026) Producer Sentiment, Farm Growth, and Transition Planning, Michael Langemeier and Joana Colussi (published March 9, 2026) Flipping the Pyramid: Public Perceptions of New Dietary Guidelines, Brenna Ellison (published March 5, 2026)
Prairie Farmer 2016 vs. 2026: Higher crop prices today, but higher costs, too, Michael Langemeier (published March 16, 2026)
EurekAlert! Reduced air pollution from climate mitigation could boost crop yields and lower hunger risk, Maksym Chepeliev (published March 16, 2026)
Bitget Brazil’s remarkable increase in soybean yields has resulted in an unprecedented harvest, yet limited farmland and rising export rivalry are putting pressure on the market, Joana Colussi (published March 13, 2026)
IANR News GTAP network gives faculty, students new opportunities for policy-focused economics analysis, GTAP and Thomas Hertel (published March 11, 2026)
The Rochester Sentinel Indiana Farm Bureau hosts data center informational session, Roberto Gallardo (published March 10, 2026)
The Farmer Low feed costs are a win for hog producers, Michael Langemeier (published March 9, 2026)
The Exponent PSG narrowly votes no on Student Fee Advisory Board changes, Nicholas Neuman (ag econ and political science senior) (published March 5, 2026)
Michigan Farm News Brazilian soybean cost of production: Can US producers compete?, Michael Langemeier and Joana Colussi (published March 6, 2026)
AgriNews Indiana farm income projected to decline in 2026 after 2025 rebound, Michael Langemeier (published March 4, 2026)
Agweek Does a ‘digital detox’ promote better health?, Valerie Kilders (published March 4, 2026)
Illinois Farmer Today Can autonomous farm machines pencil out?, Chad Fiechter and Josh Strine (published March 2, 2026)
Brownfield Ag News Study shows Brazil’s cost advantage could continue to impact U.S. export competitiveness, Joana Colussi (published February 27, 2026)
The New York Times Farmer sentiment rebounds, but future expectations continue to slide, Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer (published March 12, 2026) | |
| Shipping Policy Debate Highlights Hillberry’s WorkWith ongoing discussions in Washington about a potential waiver of the Jones Act to address fuel prices, faculty in Purdue’s Department of Agricultural Economics are helping inform the conversation.
Russell Hillberry has conducted research on the economic impacts of the law, particularly in Puerto Rico, where shipping restrictions have long influenced prices and trade flows. His work examines how the Jones Act shapes transportation costs and market outcomes. These insights are newly relevant as policymakers weigh options to ease energy costs along the East Coast. Hillberry is among a relatively small group of economists studying the law’s real-world effects.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
|  | Join the Department of Agricultural Economics on April 15 for a day of fun and giving at our popcorn-and-candy fundraiser benefiting Food Finders Food Bank. Stop by KRAN 661 between 9 am and 4 pm to enjoy movie theater treats and take part in a silent auction featuring a diverse mix of local dining, entertainment, services and unique gift items to support a great cause. The Food Finders Food Drive runs from April 6-16, and the silent auction will be held from April 13-15.
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| Graduate Student Research Poster Competition
Please consider joining us the morning of the Snyder Lecture for our departmental graduate student research poster competition. Attendees will be able to vote on their favorite research presentation.
April 17, 2026 | 8:15 am This event is free and open to the public Location: 6th Floor of Krannert
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| Apex Awards and Panel Session
Please consider joining us the morning of the Snyder Lecture for a panel discussion with our 2026 Apex Award winners following our department awards.
April 17, 2026 | 9:30 am This event is free and open to the public Location: KRAN 758
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| 2026 James C. Snyder Memorial Lecture with Guest Lecturer Mary Kay Thatcher
Please join us for the 51st Snyder Memorial Lecture, with guest lecturer Mary Kay Thatcher. Be sure to check the website for additional details on the day’s events.
April 17, 2026 | 1:30 pm This event is free and open to the public Location: Pfendler Hall, Deans Auditorium #241
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| Save the Date: 2026 AAEA Annual Meeting
Mark your calendars for the 2026 AAEA Annual Meeting, happening July 26–28 at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown! The event features a mix of invited paper sessions, case study papers, organized symposia, lightning and paper sessions, poster sessions and more.
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CENTER AND EXTENSION NEWS
|  |  | Farmer sentiment rebounds, but future expectations continue to slide | Farmer sentiment improved modestly in February, as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose by 3 points from January to a reading of 116. The increase was driven by a stronger assessment of current conditions; the Current Conditions Index climbed 11 points, while the Future Expectations Index slipped by 1 point and fell to its lowest level since September 2024, standing 45 points below its February 2025 reading. Although concerns about agricultural exports moderated somewhat compared to January, they remain elevated relative to December. The survey was conducted Feb. 2-6.
The report was covered by: Ink Free News, Inside INdiana Business, Agri-View, Ravalli Republic, AgriNews, Red River Farm Network, Michigan Farm News, Hoosier Ag Today, Brownfield Ag News, Oklahoma Farm Report, AgriTalk, Capital Press, Pro Farmer, AgUpdate, Agri-Pulse, Investing News Network, RFD-TV, Binance, Bitget and the New York Times.
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| Producer Sentiment Stabilizes, But Future Expectations Slip | AgCast #210Podcast | In this episode of Purdue Commercial AgCast, Joana Colussi and Michael Langemeier discuss the February 2026 Purdue University–CME Group Ag Economy Barometer results.
The overall index improved modestly in February, driven by stronger views of current conditions. However, the Index of Future Expectations declined as crop producers continue to face tight margins, while livestock producers—particularly cattle operations—remain more optimistic. Shifting sentiment, trade policy concerns, capital investment hesitation, and farmland value expectations are shaping producer decision-making in 2026.
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| Producer Sentiment, Farm Growth, and Transition PlanningMichael Langemeier and Joana Colussi | While U.S. livestock producers have benefited from stronger market conditions, crop producers continue to face tighter margins. Results from the February 2026 Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer (AEB) survey provide insight into how these differences are influencing producer sentiment, growth expectations, and transition plans by farm type. The AEB index is computed monthly to gauge sentiment among approximately 400 U.S. agricultural producers (Langemeier and Colussi, 2026).
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| How Investors Are Buying Farmland, Lessons from the Delta, Part 3 | AgCast #211Podcast | In Episode 3 of the Purdue Commercial AgCast mini-series, Chad Fiechter and Todd Kuethe speak with Colson Tester of AcreTrader about how farmland investment platforms identify properties, evaluate land values, and structure investments for accredited investors.
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| Indiana and Ohio Set the Benchmark for Soybean and Corn Basis, RespectivelyJosh Strine | Local corn basis, measured at the crop reporting district (CRD) level across the Eastern Corn Belt, is similar to that of one month ago. In Illinois and Iowa, basis levels are within $0.05/bu of the third week in February. In Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio, basis has deviated slightly more, but changes remain below the historical average for this time of year. However, limited month-to-month changes do not mean volatility is absent. For example, basis in Southwest Indiana fell by $0.06/bu last week (Figure 1). This is also indicative of a broader trend of weakening basis in the region over the past week. |
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| Brazil Heads for a Record Soybean Harvest as Farm Margins Approach BreakevenJoana Colussi and Michael Langemeier | Brazil is projected to produce a record 6.5 billion bushels of soybeans in the 2025-26 crop season, while farm margins should decline to their lowest level in nearly two decades. Lower soybean prices, high production costs, and weak port premiums have compressed profitability for Brazilian farmers. This situation could lead to a slowdown in soybean acreage expansion in Brazil, which has been increasing year after year since the early 2000s. In this article, we analyze production costs, revenues, and profits for high-technology soybean production in Brazil. We also present the latest official projections for the harvest currently underway and discuss the implications of this changing economic environment for the global soybean market.
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| Inside the Research Center Driving U.S. Rice Production, Lessons from the Delta, Part 4 | AgCast #212Podcast | In Episode 4 of the Purdue Commercial AgCast mini-series, Chad Fiechter and Todd Kuethe visit the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center in Arkansas to understand how research, water management, and production systems come together in one of the most concentrated rice-growing regions in the United States. |
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| Farm Robotics, Labor, and the Future of Field Work, Lessons from the Delta, Part 5 | AgCast #213Podcast | In Episode 5 of the Purdue Commercial AgCast mini-series, Chad Fiechter and Todd Kuethe meet Sarah Hinkley, CEO and co-founder of Barn Owl Precision Ag, during a chance stop at a farm in Arkansas.
What begins as a serendipitous encounter turns into a discussion about labor shortages, farm profitability, and how automation is being applied in real-world field conditions.
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|  | | Consumer Food Insights: February 2026 | Only 37% of surveyed individuals selected taste preferences as the most important factor they consider when shopping for groceries online. This sharply contrasts with long-reported food purchasing values, where taste typically ranks first when shopping in person, according to the February Consumer Food Insights Report (CFI).
The survey-based report from Purdue University’s Center for Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability (CFDAS) assesses food spending, consumer satisfaction and values, support of agricultural and food policies, and trust in information sources. Purdue experts conducted and evaluated the survey, which included 1,200 consumers across the U.S.
The center team found the following key insights: - Food values remain stable with taste, affordability and nutrition being most important to consumers.
- The food security rate was 13% in February, down 2-percentage points since January.
- Near 60% of respondents list nutritional targets and health goals as important when shopping online for groceries.
- Food at Home (FAH) inflation was nearly 2.1% over the last 12 months, although consumers perceive food inflation over 2-percentage points higher.
- Average food insecurity rate for non-retirees (14%) is 4 percentage points higher than retirees (10%).
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|  | Purdue Agribusiness Review Relaunches
The Purdue Agribusiness Review (PAR) is a curated digital publication produced by the Center for Food and Agricultural Business at Purdue University. The PAR translates contemporary research, managerial insights and emerging industry trends into accessible articles for agribusiness professionals, executives and policymakers. | The Purdue Agribusiness Review (PAR) has been relaunched as an open-access, editorial-style publication focused on the strategic, managerial and organizational challenges facing the global food and agricultural system.
PAR is modeled more closely on publications such as Harvard Business Review and MIT Sloan Management Review than on a traditional academic journal. Its purpose is to translate research, industry analysis and applied insights into accessible articles that help agribusiness professionals, executives and policymakers make better decisions.
This relaunch also introduces an important new feature: PAR articles are now assigned DOIs, allowing authors to generate citations while reaching a broader industry audience.
For faculty and staff, PAR provides a platform to extend the impact of research and outreach to industry decision-makers while maintaining an academic publication record. It is designed for work that sits between academic research, Extension and industry engagement. If you are working on research or industry-facing projects that should reach a broader audience, the editorial team welcomes conversations about potential PAR articles.
The first issue of the relaunched Purdue Agribusiness Review can be found here: |
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| | What business are you really in? The four economic models redefining agricultural retailWritten by Luciano Castro, Scott Downey and Trey Malone | What business are you really in? In agricultural retail, that question has become far more dangerous – and far more important – than it appears. The industry may still share a common name, but it now operates through distinct economic models that reward different capabilities, punish different mistakes and demand very different strategic choices.
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| | Unconventional lessons from consumer (that includes you!) behaviorWritten by Michael L. Smith, Erin Robinson and Nicole Olynk Widmar | Across food and agribusiness supply chains, from inputs at the farm gate to products on retail shelves, public pressure has intensified. What once involved navigating labor, environmental and regulatory requirements within a given geography now includes responding to consumer, public and even activist scrutiny over animal housing, genetically modified organisms, production practices, carbon claims and ingredient labeling, among other issues.
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| | Human talent in the food and agriculture industries 2025-2030Written by Jay Akridge and Christine Wilson | When most people hear “agriculture jobs,” they picture farms. The data tell a different story. In reality, more than 100,000 annual openings emerge across management, analytics, engineering, communications, policy and supply chain roles spanning the entire food and agriculture value chain. Yet fewer than half will be filled by graduates specifically trained in food and agriculture. The alignment between the jobs that exist and the talent prepared to fill them is a novel challenge for industry leaders.
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| | Why most agribusiness AI strategies never get past pilotsWritten by Iris Cui and Trey Malone | On paper, your company might look ready for the future. You have an artificial intelligence (AI) strategy. Senior leaders have attended vendor demos, approved pilot projects and invested in dashboards that promise better forecasts and tighter coordination. Your organization talks fluently about machine learning, data-driven decision-making and digital transformation. Yet, months later, very little has changed. Core decisions are still made the same way. Frontline managers quietly override algorithmic recommendations. Data lives in shadow systems that don’t quite connect. The pilots continue, but they never quite become part of how the business actually runs.
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| | Opportunities, threats and what producers believe they can controlWritten by Dr. Jay Akridge, Trustee Chair in Teaching and Learning Excellence and professor, Purdue University | What are the most important opportunities in front of large commercial producers? What are the biggest threats to their farm businesses? And, how confident are these producers in their ability to respond?
Crop and livestock producers share a surprisingly consistent view of their opportunities. Both groups see improving efficiency or lowering cost, better managing risk and expanding their current operations as their most important opportunities. Interestingly, these opportunities are also the areas where large commercial crop and livestock producers express the most confidence in their ability to capitalize. At the other end of the spectrum? Expanding into new types of production or non-agricultural enterprises ranks low for both crop and livestock producers – both in perceived opportunity and in confidence to manage.
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Below are some of our recent and upcoming programs happening for agribusiness professionals.
Business-to-business relationships are the lifeblood of successful salespeople. It’s the environment in which salespeople truly connect with their customers. Those connections are often what result in long-term partnerships. Repeat business, upselling and cross-selling opportunities abound when you invest time in understanding and nurturing your clients.
May 19-20, 2026 | West Lafayette, IN We used to think great salespeople had been given a gift. While this may still be true, we know today’s sales managers play a key role in developing this gift to meet its full potential. During this two-day interactive program, Drs. Scott Downey and Dave Downey will guide you in assessing your people development skills, creating a high-performing culture, using tools to become a more effective coach for your team and more through group discussions, activities and networking opportunities.
This program is especially beneficial for current supervisors of salespeople, novice sales managers or those who will soon be promoted who are looking to amplify their performance.
July 14-15, 2026 | West Lafayette, IN Managing key accounts requires a diverse skill set — skills often more closely aligned with management than traditional sales. During Precision Selling: Building Relationships with Large Farmers, Dr. Scott Downey will lead you in specifically addressing strategies for working with large-scale producers in the evolving agricultural marketplace. You’ll explore complexities of working with growers and delve into the areas of strategic account planning, resource allocation, information analysis and the use of sophisticated selling tools.
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|  | TravelOn February 25-26, NCRCRD Senior Program Manager, Shelly Surber, attended the 37th Annual Rural Community and Economic Development Conference hosted by the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA) in Springfield, Illinois. At this event, the NCRCRD hosted an evening network dinner for the Delta Regional Authority’s (DRA) community members who attended the conference. The DRA, a federal regional commission promoting economic development with an eight-state service region across the lower Mississippi River and Alabama Black Belt regions, has partnered with NCRCRD on their PROPEL Technical Assistance Initiative. | |
| | In Pursuit of Place SummitThe NCRCRD Place Action Working Group developed the In Pursuit of Place Summit as one of many efforts to accomplish their larger goal of developing and sustaining placemaking systems for academics, practitioners, and local change agents. This hands-on conference, designed for Placemakers, includes engaging sessions, immersive tours, and opportunities to collaborate on the future of placemaking. In Pursuit of Place Summit June 23 – 25, 2026, at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin Learn more at http://go.wisc.edu/placemaking |
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| | Transforming Early Child Care in Your Community Boot CampNCRCRD Fellow, Sarah Kennedy, an Extension Field Specialist at University of Missouri, developed a highly interactive, early child care course for stakeholders who want to improve the child care system in their communities for her Fellow project. This new course, Transforming Early Child Care in Your Community Boot Camp is offering its first session this Spring. In this 8-week virtual program, participants will explore the Community Change process in terms of child care and gain skills to advocate and work with other stakeholders to lead early child care change in their communities. Course is open to anyone from the 12-states of the North Central Region (IA, IL, IN, KS, MN, MI, MO, OH, ND, NE, SD, WI) and at no cost. Transforming Early Child Care in Your Community Boot Camp Wednesdays, April 29 – June 24, 2026 • 12:00 – 2:00 pm (Central Time) Boot Camp Information and Registration |
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| | NCRCRD Webinar SeriesNCRCRDs webinars are open to all participants. Visit the NCRCRD web page for information and registration for upcoming webinars. APRIL WEBINAR Beyond the Auction: Social Impacts of Nebraska’s Livestock Sale Barns Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 2:00 pm ET This webinar will share findings from a recent University of Nebraska–Lincoln study, which highlighted how these barns foster relationships, exchange knowledge, and reinforce social ties among farmers and ranchers. Join us to explore how these everyday spaces contribute to community resilience and why a sale day is about much more than buying and selling cattle. NCRCRD April webinar information and registration | |
|  | PIFB 2026 Newsletter
PIFB has released the 2026 Newsletter 1: Special Issue on Succession with the following articles: | |
| Previous Presentations and Activities- Renee presented on February 25 at the Lake County Extension Office for the PARP Workshop, on the topic of Farm Succession: The Succession Landscape and How to Plan for Succession
- Renee is serving as PI on an NCERME Grant entitled “Securing the Future: Legal Audits for Farm Families”, with part of the outputs being an 8-part webinar series (see flyer below).
- On March 2nd, Renee presented the first session of the free virtual series with Courtney Schmidt and Kyle Weaver. The program on March 2nd covered “Organizing the Farm & Family and History & Timeline of the Family Farm”.
- On March 9th, Renee presented with Veronica Bullock on “How to Have Difficult Conversations”.
- Renee guest lectured in AGEC 430 on March 10th on the topic of “Strategic Management in the Family Business”.
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|  | | GTAP 12 Data Base | The Center for Global Trade Analysis is pleased to announce the release of the GTAP 12 Data Base, which is a fully documented, publicly available global database containing complete bilateral trade information, transport and protection linkages. The GTAP Data Base represents the world economy and is utilized by thousands worldwide as a key input into most applied general equilibrium (AGE) analysis of global economic issues. |
| Upcoming GTAP Events “Confronting Developmental and Environmental Challenges in Asia and the New Trade Landscape” June 17-19, 2026 | Kyoto, Japan Register by April 15!
--------------------------- Upcoming GTAP-U Courses
“Introduction to Computable General Equilibrium Modeling in the GTAP Framework” March 16 – May 3, 2026 | Online Course
“Theory and Applications of Computable General Equilibrium Analysis with the GTAP Model” June 1 – August 7, 2026 | Hybrid Course | |
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| DIAL Ventures Resources
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|  | Latest Blog Posts
Reminder that April is Earth Month! | |
| Eat or Toss
The Center for Food Conservation and Waste Reduction announced its new joint social media campaign with Eat or Toss -- your go-to guide for deciding whether that “questionable” food deserves a second chance or a proper farewell.
For the next several months, they will be dropping collaborative posts on Facebook and Instagram:
✨ Taste It or Toss It Tuesdays: Saving food, one quiz at a time.
📖 Recipe Roundups: Recipe ideas for commonly wasted foods! | |
|  | Purdue Extension Community Development News
The mission for Purdue Extension Community Development is to strengthen the capacity of local leaders, residents and organizations to build strong, vibrant communities by using research-based resources to guide their decisions. Learn more about their programs, offerings and catch up on the latest news on their website. | |
| Recent News
- Purdue Extension Awarded Comcast NBCUniversal Grant to Expand Digital Skills Training for Older Adults in Porter County
- Purdue Extension Community Development in Porter County has been awarded a grant from Comcast NBCUniversal to support the launch of a mobile computer lab that will expand access to free digital skills education for adults ages 60 and older. Comcast’s grant to Purdue Extension is part of Project UP, the company’s $1 billion nationwide initiative to connect people to the internet, create digital opportunity, and build a future of unlimited possibilities.
- Save the Date: Indiana Land Use Summit - August 27, Becks Agricultural Center
- The 2026 Indiana Land Use Summit will highlight Purdue University’s applied research and extension efforts in advancing data-driven, community-engaged approaches to land use planning across Indiana, with emphasis on renewable energy and agrivoltaics. Through sessions featuring the Indiana Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (IN R‑STEP) program, participants will explore new tools, resources, and research findings supporting utility-scale renewable energy planning.
- Your Community Podcast Ep. 7: Spotlighting Purdue Extension’s Community Leadership Program
- Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing
- The two-day, in-person Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing program is a great skill builder for beginner-to-intermediate grant writers. Whatever your skill level, come with an idea and be ready to write. At the end of Day One, you will have a proposal outline and all the resources you need to expand your outline into a full proposal. A list of workshops can be found on our website. Be sure to check back for updated offerings.
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PUBLICATIONS AND DEPARTMENT HAPPENINGS
| Publications
Adema, H., Onwezen, M. C., Van Loo, E. J., Dwyer, L., & Van Kleef, E. (2026). From Niche to Norm: Plant-based labelling strategies to shift social norms to support plant-based food choices. Appetite, 222, 108540. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2026.108540
Boehlje, M., Akridge, J., Malone, T., & Neves, M. (2025). Agribusiness organization and management. In Elsevier eBooks. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-443-15976-3.00124-0
Chepeliev, M., (2026). Global Trade Analysis Project Circular Economy (GTAP-CE) Database Version 11 (No. 7674). GTAP Research Memorandum No. 40. Center for Global Trade Analysis, Department of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University. https://www.gtap.agecon.purdue.edu/resources/res_display.asp?RecordID=7674
Chepeliev, M., Aguiar, A., Farole, T., Liverani, A. and van der Mensbrugghe, D., 2026. Circular economy transition in Europe requires ambitious policies beyond climate mitigation. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 225, p.108591. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108591
Colussi, J. and M. Langemeier. “Brazil Heads for a Record Soybean Harvest as Farm Margins Approach Breakeven.” farmdoc daily (16):44, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, March 16, 2026. https://farmdocdaily.illinois.edu/2026/03/brazil-heads-for-a-record-soybean-harvest-as-farm-margins-approach-breakeven.html
Ellman, B., Smith, M. L., Reeling, C., & Widmar, N. J. O. (2026). Social media analysis reflects the negative sentiments experienced at both time changes with somewhat more depressive impact in early fall. PLoS ONE, 21(3), e0342789. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0342789
Kwon, H., Langholtz, M., Liu, X., Clark, R., Taheripour, F., Cai, H., & Wang, M. (2026). Life cycle analysis of dedicated energy crops for fuel production in the United States. Biomass and Bioenergy, 212, 109329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109329
Kalaitzandonakes, M., B. Ellison, M. Muth and J. Coppess. “Flipping the Pyramid: Public Perceptions of New Dietary Guidelines.” farmdoc daily (16):37, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, March 5, 2026. https://farmdocdaily.illinois.edu/2026/03/flipping-the-pyramid-public-perceptions-of-new-dietary-guidelines.html
Langemeier, M. and J. Colussi. “Producer Sentiment, Farm Growth, and Transition Planning.” farmdoc daily (16):38, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, March 6, 2026. https://farmdocdaily.illinois.edu/2026/03/producer-sentiment-farm-growth-and-transition-planning.html
Mohammed, A. R. S., & Katare, B. (2026). Parental response to marital sorting and the gender gap in education. Economic and Political Studies, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/20954816.2026.2613317
Xia, S., Hasegawa, T., Jansakoo, T., Mason-D’Croz, D., Tsuchiya, K., Fujimori, S., Chepeliev, M., Kozicka, M., Mishra, A., Van Zeist, W., Zhao, X., De Lange, T., Oliveira, T. D., Doelman, J. C., Gibson, M., Havlík, P., Herrero, M., Kumar, I., Ochi, Y., . . . Wiebe, K. (2026). Ozone pollution reduction partially offsets the negative impact of climate change mitigation efforts on global hunger. Nature Food. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-026-01322-3
Xing, Z., Liu, Y., Chepeliev, M., Liu, X., Hubacek, K., Feng, K., Zhong, H., Ma, Z., & Wang, H. (2026). Global food trade can mitigate substantial health burdens attributed to ambient PM2.5 pollution. Nature Food. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-026-01303-6 | |
| Presentations and Activities
On February 27, Trey Malone participated in a Cambridge Forum webinar exploring how GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are reshaping food demand and industry responses. He joined a panel featuring Marion Nestle and Alexandra Brewis to examine how these drugs could influence consumer behavior, product development, and the broader food system. Check out the recording of the discussion on YouTube
On March 8, Jay Akridge presented Integrity and Trust: How to Lead with Truth and Consistency at the Mortar Board Leadership Conference
On March 10, Jay Akridge was invited to give a Mortar Board presentation with Christine Wilson, titled Crafting a Leadership Philosophy
On March 23, Jay Akridge presented Rebuilding Trust in Higher Education: Relationships and Relevance at the International Town and Gown Association webinar
On March 25, Tom Hertel gave a plenary address to the 100th Anniversary Conference of the UK Agricultural Economics Society entitled: “Bridging the Divide between Agricultural Economics and the Sustainability Sciences”, on the campus of Oxford University | |
| | Joe Balagtas gave a lecture at the University of Guelph on March 25 and participated in the Council on Food, Agricultural & Resource Economics' webinar on current consumer food trends on February 27. | |
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For a list of recent publications and endeavors by faculty, staff, and students in the department of agricultural economics, visit our publications and endeavors pages.
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| | | Purdue AgEcon News is a monthly publication of department happenings. The publication is edited by Morgan French (mmfrench@purdue.edu). | | Purdue University Agricultural Economics Department 403 Mitch Daniels Blvd Krannert Building Room 651 West Lafayette, IN 47907 765-494-4191 agecon1@purdue.edu | |
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