Improved portfolio quality, increases in agricultural real estate loans, and declines in the rate of loan delinquencies are all part of the state of the industry as reported in an ABA survey reflecting the last half of 1997 and forecasts for the first half of 1998. The survey went to 192 ag bankers across the US. Respondents were asked to indicate actual and anticipated changes in overall farm loan portfolio quality, and in their ag production and real estate lending activities with regard to: 1. new loans booked, 2. loan repayments, 3. loan renewals and extensions, 4. loan delinquencies 30 days or more, 5. loan chargeoffs, 6. changes in credit standards, and 7. changes in interest spread.