Farmers are more optimistic after the federal government announced aid to offset tariff-related losses, but they still weren’t as positive as they were in May and June, according to a Purdue University survey, Successful Farming reported. The Ag Economy Barometer rose 12 points in August to a reading of 129 after falling to 117 in July. “The shift in producer sentiment occurred against a backdrop of USDA announcing intentions to aid farmers impacted by importing countries’ imposition of tariffs on a multitude of U.S. ag products,” said Jim Mintert, director of Purdue’s Center for Commercial Agriculture. Survey responses were gathered from agricultural producers in mid-August, before details of the federal aid were released.