News

Producers make, pay a little more in December

The USDA says producers made and paid slightly more in December than in November.

The index of prices received was up 0.8% on the month, with the crop index up 0.8% and the livestock index steady, with higher prices for cattle, broiler chickens, tomatoes, and strawberries against lower prices for market eggs, milk, oranges, and lettuce.

December’s dairy index was down 1.4% from November, but up 24.7% from December 2018. The all price of $20.70 was $.30 lower on the month, but $4.10 higher on the year.

The index of prices paid was 0.1% higher, as more expensive feeder pigs, complete, feed, concentrates, and self-propelled machinery mostly canceled out less expensive feeder cattle, nitrogen, LP gas, and other services.

Year to year, the index of prices received was down 0.8%, while the index of prices paid was up 0.4%.