Farm Financial Conditions, by Region, January 1, 1989

U.S. farm financial conditions were relatively stable in 1988 after improving significantly in 1987, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's annual Farm Costs and Returns Survey (FCRS). By the end of the year, about 46 percent of all farms represented by the survey were in a favorable financial position with positive net cash farm income and debts equal to or less than 40 percent of assets compared with 49 percent at the end of 1987. Net cash farm income was up by about 3 percent. Farm debt declined by 10 percent while assets increased in value by 2 percent