Agricultural Prices, April 30

ISSN: 1937-4216
Released April 30, 2012, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of

Agriculture (USDA).

April Farm Prices Received Index Down 7 Points

The preliminary All Farm Products Index of Prices Received by Farmers in April, at 177 percent, based on 1990-1992=100, decreased 7 points (3.8 percent) from March. The Crop Index is down 5 points (2.4 percent) and the Livestock Index decreased 7 points (4.4 percent). Producers received lower prices for broilers, corn, cattle, and eggs and higher prices for soybeans, onions, hay, and oranges. In addition to prices, the overall index is also affected by the seasonal change based on a 3-year average mix of commodities producers sell. Increased monthly movement of cattle, strawberries, milk, and broilers offset the decreased marketing of soybeans, corn, wheat, and cotton.

The preliminary All Farm Products Index is up 1 point (0.6 percent) from April 2011. The Food Commodities Index, at 166, decreased 5 points (2.9 percent) from last month but is unchanged from April 2011.

Prices Paid Index Unchanged

The April Index of Prices Paid for Commodities and Services, Interest, Taxes, and Farm Wage Rates (PPITW) is 21 percent of the 1990 1992 average. The index is unchanged from March but 10 points above (4.9 percent) April 2011. Higher

prices in April for complete feeds, concentrates, hay & forages, and supplements offset lower prices for feeder cattle, feeder pigs, feed grains, and LP gas.