Crop producers see bright future for their businesses

Agribusiness leaders are looking on the bright side of the recession. While little more than a third think the U.S. economy will rebound in 2010, a majority are optimistic or very optimistic about their own businesses, according to a recent poll of U.S. agricultural company executives by Agri Marketing magazine and AdFarm public relations agency. Only 9% had a pessimistic or very pessimistic outlook, Lynn Henderson, publisher of Agri Marketing, told the San Angelo Standard-Times.
Crop producers had a more positive outlook for their companies than did livestock executives, with the sectors’ share of optimists at 65% and 40%, respectively. A majority of respondents predicted a drop in swine production.
The average 2010 corn price predicted by respondents was $3.30 a bushel, but a significant share—almost a quarter—thought prices would hit more than $4 a bushel.