Eighty-two percent of agricultural lenders reported a decline in farm profitability in the last 12 months, according to a joint survey by the American Bankers Assn. and the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac). Despite the continued decline, the survey of more than 580 agricultural lenders revealed that the agricultural loan approval rate is 84%.     

“We were encouraged to see that lenders remain ready to assist farmers and fulfill their credit needs despite the drag in the agricultural economy,” said Brittany Kleinpaste, director of economic policy and research at ABA. “Overall, the data showed that agricultural lenders are a little more optimistic about what’s ahead for their customers than they were in December of 2016.”

While a high percentage of ag lenders continue to report a decline in farm profitability, 7% fewer reported a decline compared to the December 2016 ABA/Farmer Mac survey. However, the drivers of industry stress remain the same. Ninety-three percent of lenders indicated commodity prices are a top concern. Grain and dairy remained the sectors that lenders are most concerned about, while lenders reported less concern for the cattle and hog sectors than in the previous survey. Other top concerns are liquidity (87%), farm income (85%), farm leverage (77%) and weather (56%).

On average, survey respondents exhibited more confidence in stable land values than in the December 2016 survey. Fifty-seven percent of respondents reported stable values in the first half of 2017, and 51% expected no major changes in the second half of 2017. Lenders reported that a high percentage of average quality land (41%) and cash rents (32%) are above fair market value in their area.

“Inherently, farm real estate is highly localized and values depend on region and land productivity; however, overall, lender sentiment regarding the strength and stability of farmland values is consistent with USDA and Federal Reserve data,” said Jackson Takach, Farmer Mac’s in-house economist.

During the past six months, the majority of lenders (51%) noted an increase in the demand for agricultural operating loans, while there was no notable change in the demand for agricultural real estate loans (57%) compared to the previous survey. In the next six months, 53% of lenders expect a continued increase in agricultural operating loan demand, and 60% expect demand for agricultural real estate loans to remain unchanged.

When asked about challenges facing their own institutions, lenders indicated that credit quality and deterioration of agricultural loans are their top concerns. Competition from other lenders was also among lenders’ top concerns facing their institutions, particularly in the South.

Respondents also indicated a high level of concern over the lack of qualified agricultural lending staff, most notably in the West. There are a variety of specialty crops farmed in the West that require a lender to have certain expertise, which may make it difficult to identify and recruit new employees.

Some lenders noted concerns regarding loan demand. A few lenders indicated that heavy loan demand has forced institutions against their lending caps, while others said consolidation of the farm economy due to the lack of individuals available to replace retiring farmers could lead to weakening loan demand.

The ABA and Farmer Mac Agricultural Lender Survey—conducted twice per year—is a joint effort to provide a look at the agricultural economy and market forces from the unique perspective of ag lenders representing institutions of all sizes across the country. To view the full Agricultural Lender Survey report please visit aba.com/agsurvey.   

Top 5 Lender Concerns

Source: ABA - Farmer Mac Agricultural Lenders Survey June 2017

Mean response to Q3: Please indicate your relative level of concern for the following conditions facing your ag borrowers at this time with 1 being the least concern and 5 being the highest concern.