USDA Agricultural Prices

The preliminary All Farm Products Index of Prices Received by Farmers in
January, at 137 percent, based on 1990-92=100, increased 2 points (1.5
percent) from December. The Crop Index is unchanged but the Livestock Index
increased 4 points (3.4 percent). Producers received higher prices for
broilers, cattle, hogs, and apples and lower prices for lettuce, corn,
broccoli, and soybeans. 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 marketings of corn, soybeans, wheat, and
rice offset decreased marketings of milk, broilers, cotton, and grapes.

The preliminary All Farm Products Index is down 2 points (1.4 percent) from
January 2009. The Food Commodities Index, at 137, increased 2 points (1.5
percent) from last month and increased 3 points (2.2 percent) from January
2009.

Prices Paid Index up 4 Points

The January Index of Prices Paid for Commodities and Services, Interest,
Taxes, and Farm Wage Rates (PPITW) is 183 percent of the 1990-92 average.
The index is up 4 points (2.2 percent) from December and 3 points (1.7
percent) above January 2009. Higher prices for taxes, cash rent, other
services, and diesel more than offset lower prices in January for interest,
feed grains, concentrates, and mixed fertilizer.


The January All Farm Products Index is 137 percent of its 1990-92 base, up
1.5 percent from the December index but 1.4 percent below the January 2009
index.

ALL CROPS: The January index is 148, unchanged from December but 8.1 percent
below January 2009. Index increases for fruits & nuts, cotton, food grains,
and potatoes & dry beans offset the index decreases for commercial
vegetables, feed grains & hay, and oil-bearing crops.


Fruits & Nuts: The January index, at 138, is up 7.8 percent from December
and 16 percent higher than a year ago. Price increases for strawberries,
apples, oranges, and grapefruit more than offset price decreases for lemons
and pears.

Commercial Vegetables: The January index, at 149, is down 29 percent from
last month and 14 percent below January 2009. Price declines for lettuce,
broccoli, celery, and tomatoes during January more than offset price
increases for snap beans, onions, sweet corn, and carrots.

Potatoes & Dry Beans: The January index, at 134, is up 0.8 percent from last
month but 19 percent below January 2009. The all potato price, at $7.19 per
cwt, decreased 20 cents from December and $2.21 from last January. The all
dry bean price, at $33.30 per cwt, is up $1.10 from the previous month but
$1.70 below January 2009.