Economy & the Fed
The economic reports that move grain, cattle and energy prices: inflation, jobs, interest rates and the dollar. Latest numbers, and what's coming up, with times in Central.
Latest numbers
- Consumer prices (Sep 2026) up 3.7% from a year earlier (the month before: 3.4%); core, without food and energy, 2.6%.
- Producer prices (Aug 2026) +5.4% from a year earlier.
- Jobs (Sep 2026): +29k (12-month average +41k); unemployment 4.2%, 4.1% the month before.
- Fed funds target 3.75-4.00% (raised 25 basis points Sep 17, 2026).
- Dollar index 102.90, +0.6% this week, +3.9% from a year ago. A stronger dollar makes US grain and meat pricier overseas.
Coming up
| When (CT) | Report | Why farmers watch it |
|---|---|---|
| Wed Oct 14 7:30am CT | Consumer prices (CPI) | Hotter inflation can mean higher interest rates and a stronger dollar, which weighs on grain exports and commodity prices. |
| Thu Oct 15 7:30am CT | Producer prices (PPI) | Wholesale prices show cost pressure early, including fuel, feed and fertilizer. |
| Wed Oct 28 1:00pm CT | Fed rate decision | Rate decisions move the dollar, borrowing costs on operating loans and land, and fund money in commodities. |
| Thu Oct 29 7:30am CT | GDP | Growth sets demand for fuel, meat and feed. |
| Thu Oct 29 7:30am CT | Personal income and spending (PCE inflation) | The Fed's favorite inflation gauge. |
| Fri Nov 6 7:30am CT | Jobs report | A strong or weak jobs number moves rate expectations, the dollar and meat demand. |
| Tue Nov 10 7:30am CT | Consumer prices (CPI) | Hotter inflation can mean higher interest rates and a stronger dollar, which weighs on grain exports and commodity prices. |
| Fri Nov 13 7:30am CT | Producer prices (PPI) | Wholesale prices show cost pressure early, including fuel, feed and fertilizer. |
| Wed Nov 25 7:30am CT | GDP | Growth sets demand for fuel, meat and feed. |
| Wed Nov 25 7:30am CT | Personal income and spending (PCE inflation) | The Fed's favorite inflation gauge. |
When inflation runs hot, the Fed keeps rates higher. That raises the cost of operating notes and land loans and tends to lift the dollar.
A stronger dollar makes US corn, beans, wheat and meat cost more for foreign buyers, which can slow exports and weigh on prices. A weaker dollar helps.
Text Alerts customers can text ECONOMY, FED or DOLLAR anytime, and turn on ECONOMY ON for the numbers minutes after each release.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (CPI, PPI, jobs), Bureau of Economic Analysis (GDP, PCE dates), Federal Reserve (FOMC calendar and rate decisions). Dollar index: ICE U.S. Dollar Index, delayed. Full report calendar · All markets