Farm Progress Show, Husker Harvest Days, Sunbelt Expo Highlight Ag Economy Trends

The 2025 Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois, is drawing significant attention as industry participants assess how current economic challenges, including fluctuating commodity prices and high input costs, may affect purchasing decisions and business conducted at the event. Ag economists anticipate a shift in demand toward used and smaller short line equipment, reflecting producers' economic positions. Meanwhile, the FDA has proposed updating a 62-year-old regulation to lower the minimum sugar content in pasteurized orange juice, aiming to provide greater flexibility for citrus growers and processors coping with crop inconsistencies without compromising taste. In Wisconsin, Dairy Dreams farm showcased the Aqua Innovations System, a high-tech liquid manure treatment facility that improves water recycling, fertilizer production, and nutrient management to enhance environmental sustainability and farm efficiency. Nebraska’s 33rd annual Crop Tour highlights a strong corn crop with disease pressures such as southern rust and gray leaf spot potentially reducing yields, while the state's mix of irrigated and dryland fields offers valuable insights for marketing decisions. Additionally, regional ag events like the poultry grower expo in Maryland and the Southeast Nebraska Ag Management Expo continue to provide growers with educational opportunities and updates on technology and management practices.