Purdue Survey Tracks Farmer Sentiment Across Nation

The October Ag Barometer, produced by Purdue University and the CME Group, surveys 400 U.S. farmers on their outlook.

Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Agriculture

Screen-print poster illustration of unmarked grain silos on flat cropland under open sky, in mustard, teal, cream, and rust. — Purdue University and the CME Group's October Ag Barometer surveyed 400 U.S. farmers on their outlook for operations and the farm economy. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Purdue University released the October Ag Barometer survey of 400 U.S. farmers in October 2026. The survey is produced by Purdue University and the CME Group and has run since 2015.

Why it matters

The Ag Barometer gives a recurring read on how American farmers view their operations and the broader farm economy. Tracking the same measure over more than a decade helps observers compare current sentiment against past periods.

The October Ag Barometer surveyed 400 U.S. farmers and has been conducted since 2015. The source does not provide the survey's specific results.

The players

Purdue University

Purdue University is a public research university in West Lafayette, Indiana, whose Center for Commercial Agriculture produces the Ag Barometer.

CME Group

CME Group is a global derivatives marketplace based in Chicago that co-produces the Ag Barometer with Purdue University.

The details

Purdue University's Center for Commercial Agriculture, directed by Michael Langemeier, produces the survey in partnership with the CME Group. The source does not detail the survey's specific findings or methodology beyond its sample size.

2015: Ag Barometer survey began.
October 2026: October Ag Barometer results were released.

Season Trajectory

The October 2026 release extends the Ag Barometer series that Purdue University and the CME Group have run since 2015. Continuing the same survey over more than a decade allows comparison of farmer sentiment across economic cycles.

Farmers and those who rely on agricultural markets can use the Ag Barometer's recurring readings to gauge conditions in the farm sector. The source does not specify concrete changes to prices or availability.

The takeaway

Recurring farmer surveys like the Ag Barometer show how producers view their own operations over time. Tracking such measures consistently makes it easier to see whether sentiment is improving or deteriorating.