Federal Reserve Keeps Close Eye on Cash Rents, Credit Quality and Weather

About this episode

David Oppedahl discusses the state of the Midwest farm economy in 2026, focusing on farmland values, cash rents, and lending conditions compared to the 1980s farm crisis.

Chicago Fed agricultural economist David Oppedahl discusses the state of the Midwest farm economy in 2026 as we look at farmland values, cash rents, lending conditions, and why today's challenges look very different from the 1980s farm crisis.

People in this episode

Guest: David Oppedahl

Topics covered

• Midwest farm economy
• farmland values
• cash rents
• lending conditions
• agricultural economics

Keywords

• Midwest
• farm economy
• cash rents
• lending conditions
• farmland values
• agricultural economist

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Chicago Fed

Places: Midwest

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