The U.S. Department of Agriculture's latest Agricultural Prices report reveals a mixed picture for farmers in April 2025, with the overall prices received index for agricultural production decreasing 3.6% from March but remaining 12% higher than April 2024.
The Crop Production Index, at 100.8, saw a 4.9% increase from March, despite being 1.1% lower than the previous year. This rise was primarily driven by increases in the fruit and tree nut, other crop, and grain and oilseed indexes, which offset a decrease in the vegetable and melon index.
In contrast, the Livestock Production Index experienced a significant drop, falling 8% from March to 168.1, although it remained 18% above April 2024 levels. This decline was attributed to lower poultry, egg, and dairy indexes, which outweighed a slight increase in the meat animal index.
Notable price changes in the crop sector included:
- Corn prices rose to $4.62 per bushel, up 5 cents from March and 23 cents from April 2024.
- All wheat prices decreased to $5.61 per bushel, 10 cents lower than March and 29 cents below April 2024.
- Soybean prices held steady at $10.20 per bushel, unchanged from March but $1.60 lower than the previous year.
In the livestock sector:
- Beef cattle prices increased to $208.00 per cwt, up $6.00 from March and $23.00 from April 2024.
- Hog prices declined to $65.50 per cwt, $1.50 lower than March and $1.40 below last year.
- All milk prices dropped to $21.00 per cwt, down $1.00 from March but still 60 cents higher than April 2024.
The report also highlighted a significant decrease in market egg prices, which fell to $3.75 per dozen, $2.21 lower than March but $1.96 higher than April 2024.
