(NAFB.com) – During the fall, harvests are typically the biggest concern on farmers’ minds. But even in parts of the Ninth District where crops looked bountiful, crop prices that have been falling for the last two years were a bigger worry this year. That’s according to an October survey of agricultural bankers by the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank. “Above average yields may somewhat offset the lower commodity prices,” a South Dakota banker said in the survey. “The resulting financial stress on many operations will most likely be more noticeable this year.” The survey asked about conditions from July through September, and respondents say farm incomes across the region overwhelmingly dropped. Spending on capital equipment also fell, though farm household purchases increased on balance. Tighter income pushed up demand for loans, while the rate of loan repayments dropped. Loan renewal and extension activity increased. Land values and cash rents also increased from a year earlier.