Top concerns among producers continue to be high input costs and rising interest rates.

Nearly three-fourths of respondents said they view this as a bad time to make large investments in their farm operation while just 16% of producers this month said it’s a good time to make investments. 

In a reversal from last month, more respondents chose rising equipment and construction costs (39%) than rising interest rates (33%) as a top reason for this being a poor time for large investments.

The March update to the Ag Economy Barometer from Purdue University and CME Group saw the farm capital investment index rise 1 point in February to a reading of 43.

According to the Jan. 3 update to the Purdue University Ag Economy Barometer, the barometer's reading rose to 126 in December, up from 102 in the month prior.