The Purdue-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer for May is in and the results found farmers and ranchers less optimistic than April. Some of the decline in producers’ sentiment during May was attributable to changing perceptions about the livestock sector. During May, 36 percent of respondents reported an expectation of widespread “good times” for livestock producers over the next five years, which was well below the 46 percent reported in April. Recent declines in livestock prices, especially feeder cattle and live cattle, could help explain the decline in producers’ sentiment regarding the livestock sector.

There will be cherries for 4th of July but there won’t be as many. The new Bing crop estimate is 18.4 million boxes, down 4% from last year according to B.J. Thurlby, President of Northwest Cherry Growers. Thurlby said Bing cherry volume is off from normal this year due to warm weather conditions during bloom and fruit set. They are set to pack close to 3 million, on a normal year it’s 4 million to 5 million Bings. Northwest cherry harvest officially commenced May 20.

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