Young Farmers want Children to Follow in Footsteps

 

For only the second time in 14 years, more than 95 percent of surveyed young farmers and ranchers said they hope their children follow in their footsteps. The survey was completed by members of Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers attending the group’s annual national conference.

 

“The survey shows that our young farmers are very positive and excited about the future of agriculture in the United States,” says South Dakota Farm Bureau President Scott VanderWal.  “They are so optimistic that the vast majority also see a solid future in agriculture for their children.  This is a very exciting era in agriculture, where we have a vast array of fascinating technology available.”

 

South Dakota YF&R Chairman Troy Hadrick says, “I wasn’t surprised by the results.  There is more positive ag news than there has been for a while.  There were 850 people at the conference who are all in the same boat we are, working for the same thing – we’re not alone.” 

 

He added that the participants in the Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers programs realize they are not simply raising commodity crops or livestock.  “They aren't just raising cattle; they are raising beef for a high quality dining experience.  They are raising corn that will work well in ethanol production.”

 

Lance Larsen, a YF&R committee member from Andover, believes there are many opportunities for younger farmers and ranchers as the current generation of producers gets closer to retirement.  “They want to see younger guys come in and get started.”

 

A total of 95.1% out of 330 young farmers and ranchers responding to the survey would like to see their children earn a living on the farm. The only time this number was higher was in 1996 when 95.5% wanted their children to become farmers and ranchers. Last year just 89% wanted their children to follow in their footsteps.

 

Other survey results:

Outlook for the future:

Better off today than a year ago – 91%

Expect to be lifetime farmers – 94%

More optimistic than 5 years ago – 77%

Farm income should come totally from the marketplace – 79%

 

Biggest challenges:

Availability of land and facilities – 21%

Profitability – 18%

Urbanization/loss of farmland – 12%

 

Role of Federal Government:

Provide tax breaks to help beginning farmers – 15%

Energy policy including more renewable fuels – 16%

Strengthen property rights – 14%

 

Start in farming:

Started farming on their own – 29%

Married into farming – 15%

Inherited a portion of their farming operation – 12%

Started as partners in a family operation – 44%

 

Farming practices

Will be planting biotech crop varieties – 58%

Use of futures and options – 33%

Use an accounting service – 38%

Use crop advisers – 34%

 

Conservation and environmental stewardship practices:

Conservation tillage – 59%

Crop rotation – 49%

Soil/tissue analysis – 46%

Integrated pest management – 28%

Conservation reserve program – 26%

 

Consider both environmental and economic concerns in farming practices, with an environmental emphasis – 27%

Consider both with an economic emphasis – 63%

Environmental concerns are paramount – 3%

Economic concerns are paramount – 7%

 

Income from other than farming

Husband works off-farm – 8%

Wife works off-farm – 43%

Both work off-farm – 25%

Health insurance is the primary reason for off-farm employment – 47%

Supplementary on-farm enterprise (custom work or seed sales) – 60%

 

Technology use:

Cellular phone – 92%

Computers – 92%

Internet access as a farming tool – 91%

Home satellite television use – 42%

Internet as a source of general agricultural news – 73%

Internet as a source of entertainment – 64%