Chart attack: Farm sentiment? It's not all badChart attack: Farm sentiment? It's not all bad

Welcome to Chart Attack — a new department offering the latest trend information in graphic format. These charts and tables are based on our latest exclusive farmer surveys. They tell a story of concern, mixed with some success — even optimism for the future.

The number of farmers whose businesses are vulnerable — a potentially lethal combination of high debt and red ink — actually dropped earlier this year. That may be due to timely profit-taking from last year’s market rallies.

Likewise, the number of farmers who worry over paying back debt has decreased. While half of farmers believe 2016 income will be lower than 2015, over half told us they priced enough crops in 2016 to make a profit. And while two-thirds expect 2017 to be another rough year for farming, most farmers believe the next two decades are full of promise.

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