Posts By: Betsy Urso

The spread of covid has caused a surge in American meat prices The Economist With a high incidence of affected workers, several meat-processing plants had to close LAST WEEK American meat-processors slaughtered 452,000 head of cattle and 1,768,000 pigs. That may sound impressive. But the figures are 32% and 24% lower, respectively, than a year… Read more »

Farmers’ hopes for respite from Trump-era struggles fade amid pandemic The Washington Post By: David J. Lynch, Annie Gowen and Laura Reiley President Trump promised this year to deliver a financial bonanza for American farmers, boosted by two historic trade deals that would free them from their dependence on government bailouts. Instead, as the local… Read more »

Economic impact of COVID-19 on farmers The Messenger By: Kriss Nelson The impacts of COVID-19 on agricultural assets and lending markets were the topic of a webinar held by the University of Illinois as part of their Coronavirus and Ag series. Jackson Takach, chief economist and head of strategy, research and analytics for the Federal… Read more »

Report: Market risk higher for dairy and specialty crops in 2020 Agri-Pulse By: Ben Nuelle Exposure to market risk in 2020 is expected to be higher for dairy and specialty crop producers than other commodities, according to a quarterly report obtained by Agri-Pulse. Farmer Mac is expected to release its quarterly economic report later this… Read more »

Fern’s Ag Insider How much for ag relief? Trump says $16 billion. The federal government could provide 40 percent of U.S. farm income this year, according to one analysis of the coronavirus relief funds. President Trump said at least $16 billion will be available “very quickly” for the farm sector. Coupled with $23 billion in… Read more »

Impacts of Covid-19 on Agricultural Assets and Lending Markets farmdoc Daily COVID-19 is affecting America’s farmers, ranchers, and landowners in numerous and varied ways. Join Jackson Takach, chief economist with Farmer Mac, and Bruce Sherrick, Professor and Director of the TIAA Center for Farmland Research and a farmdoc team member, as they explore the drivers… Read more »

Farm Journal Live: How is COVID-19 Impacting the Ag Economy? Farm Journal’s AgPro By: Clinton Griffiths Miss the live broadcast? Watch the recording of Farm Journal Live below: Click to the 9:00 mark to watch the recording of Clinton Griffiths and Jackson Takach (Farmer Mac)  How deeply are COVID-19 related restrictions impacting agriculture? Farmer Mac… Read more »

Buy Farmer Mac: An Earnings Oasis; A Reasonable Triple In 3 Years Seeking Alpha By: Gary Gordon Summary The company still has very low credit, interest rate, leverage and political risks despite COVID-19. It has a $3.20 dividend, or an astounding 7% dividend yield, and a 5 P/E. A fair valuation is $135, or triple… Read more »