Market update report

Quarterly Economic Update: April 2025

April 9, 2025 by AgWest Farm Credit

Despite recent equity market corrections, consumer behavior remains strong, supported by low unemployment and rising wages.
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The impact of proposed penalties on Chinese-built ships for agriculture

April 9, 2025 by AgWest Farm Credit

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is considering implementing penalties on Chinese-built ships, a move aiming to reduce dependence on foreign shipbuilding and promote domestic manufacturing.
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Growing together - Ben and Kayla Baumann’s story

March 31, 2025 by Jennifer Hammarin, Senior Communications Advisor

For Ben and Kayla Baumann, farming is more than a livelihood—it's a way of life they’ve embraced with grit and dedication.
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Spotlight on the legal team

March 31, 2025 by Jennifer Hammarin, Senior Communications Advisor

For Eugene (Gene) Massa, fulfilling AgWest’s mission isn’t about stepping into the spotlight; it’s about using and sharing his unique set of skills and knowledge to help others.
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Spotlight on the loan accounting team

March 31, 2025 by Jennifer Hammarin, Senior Communications Advisor

Mandi Wendt serves as a Director of Loan Accounting, leading a team serving Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana.
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Spotlight on the customer care team

March 31, 2025 by Jennifer Hammarin, Senior Communications Advisor

At the heart of Alexandra’s work is an unwavering focus on the customer. Every day, she positions herself as an advocate for their voices, needs and concerns.
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Spotlight on the appraisal team

March 31, 2025 by Jennifer Hammarin, Senior Communications Advisor

The appraisal team at AgWest works closely with Relationship Managers to assess the value of customer properties, ensuring accurate, fair insights that guide everything from loan applications to long-term financial planning.
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Profitability report - March 2025

March 12, 2025 by AgWest Farm Credit

AgWest conducts a profitability analysis of its core industries every quarter by surveying its lending staff and having discussions with industry experts.
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Rising federal debts and The Department of Government Efficiency

March 12, 2025 by AgWest Farm Credit

Efforts by the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reduce federal spending and streamline/remove regulations will have mixed impacts on the economy, including the agriculture sector.
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Connecting past with present: Grant winners revive heirloom crop

February 26, 2025 by Sarah Kearbey

With every bean they plant, harvest and sell, Shonri Begay and her partners at Three Sisters Bean Farm are connecting their local community to a heritage food source with cultural significance.
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Finding her way home: Grant winner grows food for her community

February 26, 2025 by Sarah Kearbey

On her quarter-acre farm behind her home in suburban Phoenix, Arizona, Rachel Opio has found a way back to her mother through community agriculture.
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Land values - February 2025

February 12, 2025 by AgWest Farm Credit

Land values are generally stable across the West; however, declines have been observed in California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
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Shipping disruptions ease

February 12, 2025 by AgWest Farm Credit

Agriculture exports out of West Coast ports totaled $61.7 billion in 2024.
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Drought and water update - February 2025

February 12, 2025 by AgWest Farm Credit

Severe and extreme conditions have expanded south of Sacramento, California and into much of Arizona.
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Small producers, big hearts

January 19, 2025 by Sarah Kearbey, Freelance Writer

The Heartquists own and operate the 110-acre Heartquist Hollow Family Farm, where they raise and process grass-fed and grass-finished sheep and cattle and heritage pigs for direct-to-consumer and retail sales in Arizona.
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Navigating change

January 19, 2025 by Stacy Baker, Senior Marketing Advisor

Commercial salmon fishing in Bristol Bay, Alaska, is an intense, exhilarating business. The salmon season is short, typically lasting from mid-June to late July. Fishermen work around the clock, often in harsh weather conditions.
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A life of perseverance and partnership

January 19, 2025 by Jennifer Hammarin, Senior Communications Advisor

It is often said, “There can be no rainbow without a cloud and a storm.” While scientifically true, rainbows remind us of life’s inevitable ups and downs. This sentiment rings true in Paul, Idaho.
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Quarterly Economic Update: January 2025

January 9, 2025 by AgWest Farm Credit

The U.S. economy continues to expand at a moderate pace despite employment showing signs of cooling and inflation remaining above the Federal Reserve’s target.
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AgWest AgTrends Survey

January 15, 2025 by AgWest Farm Credit

As the new year begins, it's crucial to examine the trends that are likely to influence the agricultural landscape. This article explores opportunities and threats ag producers anticipate over the next 18 months. These findings are from AgWest’s AgTrends Survey, completed by 460 AgWest customers this fall.
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Profitability report - December 2024

December 11, 2024 by AgWest Farm Credit

AgWest conducts a profitability analysis of its core industries every quarter by surveying its lending staff and having discussions with industry experts.
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