The Agricultural Prices report released by USDA offers a new snapshot of what farmers were paid in February 2026 across major crop and livestock categories. The report says the February Prices Received Index for agricultural production reached 130.6, which was up 12% from January but down 11% from February 2025.
That increase was driven by stronger monthly prices for several important commodities, including lettuce, cattle, market eggs, milk, and soybeans. At the same time, the report also shows that not every market moved in the same direction, with lower prices recorded for broilers, oranges, rice, and strawberries during the month.
Agricultural Prices report points to mixed movement across crops
For crop production, the February index was 101.6, up 14% from January and 5.0% above a year earlier. Within that group, the grain and oilseed index reached 75.7, up 0.9% from the previous month but down 5.8% from February 2025, as stronger oilseed and feed grain values outweighed weaker food grain prices.
The report lists the February corn price at $4.11 per bushel, up 1 cent from January but down 47 cents from a year earlier. Soybeans moved the other way, with the February price at $10.60 per bushel, up 30 cents from the previous month and 40 cents above February 2025, while all wheat came in at $5.12 per bushel, up 11 cents from January but down 47 cents from a year earlier. The full USDA report is here Agricultural Prices report.
Vegetables surged while fruit and hay showed a different pattern
USDA says the vegetable and melon index climbed to 212.7 in February, up 30% from January and 49% from a year earlier. Price gains for lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, and sweet corn more than offset declines for onions, tomatoes, potatoes, and celery.
By contrast, the fruit and tree nut index fell to 136.1, down 3.0% from January and 3.3% from February 2025. The report says lower prices for oranges, strawberries, and pears outweighed higher prices for apples and lemons. In the other crop category, the all hay price was $152.00 per ton, which was $3.00 higher than January but $2.00 lower than a year earlier. USDA historical publications can also be found through the NASS publications archive.
Livestock prices moved higher in several major categories
The livestock production index reached 153.7 in February, up 2.7% from January but down 21% from February 2025. USDA says the meat animal, dairy, and poultry and egg indexes all increased on the month, even though some of those categories remained below year earlier levels.
Beef cattle posted one of the biggest monthly gains in the report, reaching $239.00 per cwt, up $9.00 from January and $36.00 from February 2025. The all milk price was $18.30 per cwt, up 80 cents from the previous month but down $5.30 from a year earlier, while market eggs rose to 98.0 cents per dozen, up 15.4 cents from January but still far below the unusually high level seen a year ago.
Prices paid by farmers kept moving up as well
The report also tracks what producers are paying for inputs. USDA says the February Prices Paid Index for commodities and services, interest, taxes, and farm wage rates reached 159.4, up 0.6% from January 2026 and 8.1% from February 2025.
According to USDA, higher prices for feeder cattle, feeder pigs, diesel, and complete feeds more than offset lower prices for concentrates, other services, nitrogen, and LP gas. For broader farm market context, related coverage is available at Agroinformacion. The official report was published by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service in its Agricultural Prices release.