(NAFB.com) – For the 17th time in the last 18 months, the Rural Mainstreet Index dropped below 50 in February. That’s from the monthly survey of bank CEOs across a ten-state region reliant on agriculture and energy. The index fell to a concerning 38 in February, down from 42.3 in January. The RMI ranges from 0 to 100, with a score of 50 equaling growth-neutral status. Only nine percent of bankers anticipate positive outcomes for Rural Mainstreet resulting from President Trump’s tariff policies. “The economic outlook for grain farmers looks bleak for 2025,” says Ernie Goss of Creighton University. “While there has been a recent uptick in grain prices, it’s not enough for profitability.” On the other side of the index, regional livestock producers are experiencing good prices, with only nine percent of bankers predicting negative cash flow for ranchers in 2025. Farm equipment sales also dropped for the 18th straight month.