A new monthly survey of bankers suggests the economy is slowing down in rural areas of Kansas, Missouri and eight other states.
Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says falling crop prices have farmers spending less, and crop prices are expected to continue declining this fall.
The overall economic index for the region fell into negative territory to 48.3 in August from July's 51.8.
The survey indexes range from 0 to 100. Any score below 50 suggests decline in the months ahead.
Goss said bankers are not very optimistic about the next few months.
Bankers from rural areas of Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Minnesota and the Dakotas were surveyed.
