The index of prices received by U.S. farmers for their products in January was -2.2% From December, but +2.5% From a year earlier, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Friday. Special Note State level monthly price estimates have been discontinued for grapefruit, lemons, and oranges. United States level price estimates for these crops will continue to be published monthly in the Agricultural Prices report. January Prices Received Index Down 2.2 Percent The January Prices Received Index 2011 Base (Agricultural Production), at 88.7, decreased 2.2 percent from December but increased 2.5 percent from January 2019. At 82.3, the Crop Production Index was down 3.5 percent from last month but up 4.6 percent from the previous year. The Livestock Production Index, at 98.2, increased 1.0 percent from December and 0.4 percent from January last year. Producers received lower prices during January for market eggs, milk, lemons, and oranges but higher prices for lettuce, broilers, cattle, and broccoli. In addition to prices, the indexes are influenced by the volume change of commodities producers market. In January, there was increased monthly movement for corn, soybeans, strawberries, and pistachios and decreased marketing of milk, lettuce, cattle, and hogs. January Prices Paid Index Up 0.2 Percent The January Prices Paid Index for Commodities and Services, Interest, Taxes, and Farm Wage Rates (PPITW), at 110.3, is up 0.2 percent from December 2019 but down 0.1 percent from January 2019. Higher prices in January for feeder cattle, feeder pigs, interest, and rent more than lower prices for nitrogen, LP gas, herbicides, and mixed fertilizer. Index Summary Table ========================================================================= 2018 2019 2019 2020 Index -------------------------------------------------------- 1990-92=100 Dec Jan Dec Jan ========================================================================= Prices Received 90.2 86.5 90.7 88.7 Prices Paid 110.1 110.4 110.1 110.3 Ratio 1/ 82 78 83 81 ========================================================================= 1/ Ratio of index of prices received by farmers to index of prices paid by farmers. Write to Rodney Christian at csstat@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 28, 2020 15:19 ET (20:19 GMT)