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Rural Mainstreet Economy Continues to Weaken in August

For the sixth time in 2025, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) sank below growth neutral 50.0, according to the monthly survey. “Weak agriculture commodity prices for grain producers continue to dampen economic activity in the 10-state region. Bank CEOs and chief loan officers expect almost one-fifth, or 19.5%, of grain farmers to experience negative cash flow for 2025. This is unchanged from January of this year, when approximately one-fifth of grain farmers were expected to experience net losses,†said Ernie Goss, PhD, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University.

Farm Âé¶¹app Sales: The farm equipment sales index slumped to a very weak 14.6 from 16.7 in July. “This is the 24th straight month that the index has fallen below growth neutral. High input costs, tighter credit conditions, low farm commodity prices and market volatility from tariffs are having negative impacts on the purchases of farm equipment,†said Goss.

Confidence: Rural bankers remain pessimistic about economic growth for their area over the next six months. The August confidence index weakened to 27.8 from 36.0 in July. “Weak grain prices and negative farm cash flows, combined with tariff retaliation concerns, pushed banker confidence lower,†said Goss. “On average, bankers expect farmland prices to fall by 2.9% over the next 12 months,†he said.

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