2007 Ag Census is out

[AnnaS]

I remember that participation in this census was much discussed last year. Here's the info collected in that census- livestock populations, crops, info on operators, acreage and economic class of farms.

http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publica...1_US/index.asp

One statistic I found interesting- out of 2.2 million farms in the US, 1.5 million sell less than $25,000 worth of farm products in a year. 68% of farmers seem to be farming for reasons other than money.

[gone-a-milkin]

Originally Posted by AnnaS

68% of farmers seem to be farming for reasons other than money.

Either that or they simply are not MAKING any money....

[travlnusa]

Here in WI, the number of farms is going UP. The biggest segment of overall and new farms are "small operations", defined as 50-179 acres.

Overall average profit was $35,000. Keep in mind that for the better part of the year, milk was priced quite high. I am sure you will see a much different number in 09.

I see this at work. I have three new customers, all younger people, that are really doing things right. They are buying only what they need to just get by operation wise, buying cows here and there, now that milk is so low. I really see these famililes making it as long as they dont get "New Paint Fever".

The big guys (1000+ acres) are also growing.

It is the Mid Size farms that are dropping in numbers. I was at an auction the other day. Their top cow ( a very very nice cow) went for $1100. The rest were down, and some case way down, from that.

[Ken Scharabok]

travlnusa: You are looking at only one segment of the entire agriculture industry. How large of a family can you support on a profit of $35,000? (And is that gross or net?) What is their return on labor hour? Likely they could do as well working entirely off the farm at a whole lot less effort.

For several years in the early 50s we were on two dairy farms in WI. I remember little about the second one, near Hustesford, since we were only there about a year. However, on the one in Slinger I remember my folks having sheep, broilers, eggs, hogs, veal calves and sugar beets. Even with that, during winter, dad went to Milwaukee to work the night shift at A.O. Smiths.

From what I have heard the statistics are suspect due to a relatively low number of responses. They extended the filing deadline at least once and sent out several reminders. Personally I didn't respond to the questionairre.

[travlnusa]

Originally Posted by Ken Scharabok

travlnusa: You are looking at only one segment of the entire agriculture industry. How large of a family can you support on a profit of $35,000? (And is that gross or net?) What is their return on labor hour? Likely they could do as well working entirely off the farm at a whole lot less effort.

For several years in the early 50s we were on two dairy farms in WI. I remember little about the second one, near Hustesford, since we were only there about a year. However, on the one in Slinger I remember my folks having sheep, broilers, eggs, hogs, veal calves and sugar beets. Even with that, during winter, dad went to Milwaukee to work the night shift at A.O. Smiths.

From what I have heard the statistics are suspect due to a relatively low number of responses. They extended the filing deadline at least once and sent out several reminders. Personally I didn't respond to the questionairre.

I was simply referring to some lines in a much longer report. I have heard that others have been banned from this site for posting other's work.

My point was that the small farms are returning. I was not trying to offer a class in economics.

[AnnaS]

Originally Posted by travlnusa

I was simply referring to some lines in a much longer report. I have heard that others have been banned from this site for posting other's work.

I would certainly hope no-one would get banned for quoting this census. Its supposed to be used as a free reference tool- it can even be downloaded and printed for free.

[AnnaS]

Originally Posted by Ken Scharabok

Likely they could do as well working entirely off the farm at a whole lot less effort.

Yep, that's why I think a lot of them are in it for something besides the money. I can't find the stat now, but USDA has said that over 70% of farmers work out or have a spouse that works out. I would think most dairy farmers could get much better paying jobs that would involve 1) days off 2) getting up at 7 am and 3) not caring about the weather, ever. I'm glad they stick with milking, though.

[Ken Scharabok]

All I was trying to say is you cannot look at one data point in a complex survey and necessarily infer it reflects the overall survey results.