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Are Farmers Ready for Increasing Interest Rates?

AAEA Members compile research for a new theme in Choices

Multiple years of expanding farm sector debt and declining profitability and liquidity have raised concerns about the farm sector’s financial resiliency. Given the interest in the farm sector’s financial strength and the Federal Reserve’s stated intention to continue gradually raising interest rates, a recently published theme of articles in Choices Magazine explores how rising interest rates may impact farmers moving forward.

Two authors, Ryan Kuhns, who works at the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac), and Kevin Patrick from USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, helped release a theme on “U.S. Agriculture in a Rising Interest Rate Environment.”

 “The relationship between interest rates and the farm sector’s income statement and balance sheet is complex.” Kuhns and Patrick went on to say that, “Rising interest rates could provide headwinds, but the impact will depend on numerous factors, some within the farmer’s control and others beyond it.”

Articles in this theme:

If you are interested in setting up an interview with Ryan Kuhns or Kevin Patrick, please contact Allison Scheetz in the AAEA Business Office.

ABOUT AAEA: Established in 1910, the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association (AAEA) is the leading professional association for agricultural and applied economists, with 2,500 members in more than 60 countries. Members of the AAEA work in academic or government institutions as well as in industry and not-for-profit organizations, and engage in a variety of research, teaching, and outreach activities in the areas of agriculture, the environment, food, health, and international development. The AAEA publishes two journals, the American Journal of Agricultural Economics and Applied Economic Perspectives & Policy, as well as the online magazine Choices. To learn more, visit www.aaea.org.


Contact: Allison Scheetz
Senior Communications Manager
(414) 918-3190
Email: ascheetz@aaea.org