(NAFB.com) – U.S. farmers retained their post-election optimistic outlook at the start of 2025 as the January Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index rose five points above December to 141. The barometer’s rise was primarily attributed to a nine-point rise in the Current Conditions Index. The Index of Future Expectations rose only three points in comparison. Compared to previous surveys, fewer producers in January pointed to lower crop and livestock prices as a top concern, which helped explain why producers felt better about the current situation. The shift in attitudes was attributable in part to an improvement in crop prices between December and January. Farmers remain more optimistic about the future than the current situation, as the Future Expectations Index was still 47 points above the Current Conditions Index. The Farm Financial Performance Index rose 14 points in January, a sign that producers expect this year to be better than 2024.