85 percent . . .

...the ratio of prices received to 

prices paid in 2016

About the Surveys

The USDA National Agricultural 

Statistics Service (NASS) Agricultural 

Prices Program provides statistics 

on the prices producers receive for 

more than 70 crop and livestock 

commodities; indexes of prices 

received; and indexes of prices paid 

for farm inputs. These statistics are 

based on hundreds of monthly 

and annual surveys and other data. 

The prices received and prices paid 

indexes measure price change relative 

to the reference year (2011), when all 

prices were based at 100. 

For more information on the prices 

program, and the charts, maps, and 

data available, go to: 

go.usa.gov/xXKdP. 

To access current and historical price 

program data, go to the Quick Stats 

database: quickstats.nass.usda.gov.

Between 2006 and 2016, the prices farmers paid for farm inputs increased 

more than the prices they received for the agricultural products they sold, as 

indicated by the average annual indexes of prices received and prices paid. 

The prices received index increased from 70.7 in 2006 to 89.3 in 2016, after 

reaching a high of 107.9 in 2014. The index of prices farmers paid for farm 

inputs (including production items, interest, taxes, and wages) was 73.9 in 

2006, reached its peak of 112.0 in 2014, and declined to 105.4 in 2016. The 

base year for both indexes is 2011. (Fig. 1) 

Fig. 1. Indexes of Prices U.S. Farmers Received and Paid, Annual Average, 2006–2016

60

80

100

120

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Paid Received

2011 = 100

Farmer Purchasing Power

Together the two indexes indicate farmers’ purchasing power. In Fig. 2, the 

ratio of prices 

received to 

prices paid 

indicates the 

purchasing 

power of 

agricultural 

commodities 

sold relative 

to farm inputs 

purchased.

Between 2006 

and 2016, the 

NASS Highlights

www.nass.usda.gov

April 2017 • No. 2017-1

Prices paid increased 

more than

prices received

Prices U.S. Farmers Received

and Paid, 2006–2016 

Fig. 2. Ratio of Prices Received to Prices Paid, Monthly, 2006–2016

75

80

85

90

95

100

105

110

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

United States Department of Agriculture

National Agricultural Statistics Service
monthly ratio ranged from a high of 108 to a low of 78.

The prices received index for total agricultural 

production had its lowest level in April 2006 at 68.0 

and reached its highest value in April 2014 at 115.5. 

(Fig. 3) The prices paid index had its lowest level in 

February 2006 (73.3) and its highest level in June 2014 

(113.8). (Fig. 4) Both figures show the trends for total 

agricultural commodities, as well as for crop and livestock 

commodities separately.

Fig. 3. Monthly Index of Prices U.S. Farmers Received, 2006–2016: 

Total, Crop, and Livestock

2011 = 100

40

60

80

100

120

140

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Total Crop Livestock

Fig. 4. Monthly Index of Prices U.S. Farmers Paid, 2006–2016: 

Total, Crop, and Livestock

60

80

100

120

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Total Crop Livestock

2011 = 100

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. 

www.nass.usda.gov

Based on 2016 cash receipts, corn and

soybeans were the highest earning crops, 

and beef cattle and broilers were the

highest earning livestock commodities.

Prices and Expenditures

The prices paid index and the index of farmers’ total 

farm and personal expenditures are highly correlated, 

indicating their expenditures are mostly influenced by 

price changes in the production inputs they purchase. 

(Fig. 5)

Fig. 5. Farmer Expenditures and the Prices Paid Index, 2006–2016

2011 = 100

0

30

60

90

120

150

Prices Paid Index

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Expenditures

Prices Received: Selected Commmodities

Corn

($s per bushel)

8

6

4

2

Soybeans

($s per bushel)

4

8

12

16

Beef Cattle

($s per cwt)

60

100

140

180

Broilers

($s per pound)

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016

Note: cwt = hundred weight