Farm Returns Improve in April

WASHINGTON - Apr 28/06 - SNS -- Prices received for agricultural commodities sold by farmers in the United States moved up in sync with the cost of farming in April, with both indexes gaining one point, according to the USDA,

The preliminary All Farm Products Index of Prices Received by Farmers in April, at 115, based on 1990-92=100, increased 1 point (0.9%) from March. The Crop Index is up 11 points (9.3%) but the Livestock Index decreased 6 points (5.5%).

At the same time, the April Index of Prices Paid for Commodities and Services, Interest, Taxes, and Farm Wage Rates (PPITW) is 147% of the 1990-92 average. The index is up 1 point (0.7%) from March and 7 points (5.0%) above April 2005.

Producers received higher commodity prices for lettuce, tomatoes, onions and strawberries. Lower prices were received for broilers, cattle, eggs, and hogs. The overall index is also affected by the seasonal change based on a 3-year average mix of commodities a producer sells. Increased average marketings of strawberries, cattle, sweet corn, and oranges offset decreased marketings of soybeans, corn, wheat, and hogs.

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