Prices Received By Farmers Increase; Prices Paid Follow

(WASHINGTON, DC) Farmers and ranchers were able to sell their commodities, overall, for a little more in April as compared to March. According to USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service (NASS), producers received higher prices for hogs, broilers, hay, and milk but lower prices for lettuce, market eggs, strawberries, and corn. The April Prices Received Index (Agricultural Production) increased 1.1 percent from one month earlier (92.9%). The Crop Production Index decreased 1.2 percent (84.7%) while the Livestock Production Index increased 2.6 percent to 100 percent. At the same time, prices paid by producers inched up as well. Higher prices in April for feeder pigs, feeder cattle, hay and forages, and gasoline more than offset lower prices for nitrogen, herbicides, feed grains, and supplements.