Report: lenders paying attention to farmer conservation efforts

Report: lenders paying attention to farmer conservation efforts

University of Missouri’s Center for Regenerative Agriculture Director Robert Myers says ag lenders are interested in conservation data from farmers. And some lenders have started to launch pilot programs offering farmers lower interest rates for conservation practices.

“As underwriters are evaluating the risks of the farm, they are asking if the farm is using management practices appropriate to their area. How does that come in to impact a farmer’s bottom line? As a lender, you want to know the farmer will generate enough income to repay the loan.”

Myers wrote a paper showing how conservation efforts provide a net return over time.

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