Trade Concerns Batter Business Confidence

April Rural Mainstreet Index Positive:April Survey Results at a Glance:  For a third straight month the overall index remained above growth neutral.
* Farmland price growth and agriculture-equipment sales continue to decline.  Trade concerns slam the business confidence index.  More than three-fourths of bank CEOs reported that export markets were very important to their local economy.  Almost one-third of bankers support the abolition of NAFTA and undertaking a new agreement.  More than one-fifth of bankers support the elimination of oil refinery waivers to RFS obligations.