For the ninth time in 2025, the region’s overall, or Rural Mainstreet Index, sank below growth neutral, and for the 18th time in the past 19 months, farmland prices sank below growth neutral. The region’s overall reading for November increased to a weak 44.0 from October’s 34.6, its lowest level since May 2020.
The index ranges between 0 and 100, with a reading of 50.0 representing growth neutral. Creighton University Economist, Ernie Goss, says weak agriculture commodity prices and high input costs for grain producers continue to dampen economic activity in the 10-state region; however, livestock farmers and ranchers remain in better financial condition.
The Kansas RMI for November climbed to 45.0 from 37.1 in October. The state’s farmland price index increased to 43.9 from October’s 42.8. Kansas’ year-to-date exports of agricultural goods and livestock expanded to $1.0 billion in 2025, up from $883.9 million in the same period of 2024, for a gain of 13.7%.
