Detailed information is given on farm business profits during 1987-91 among the various U.S. production regions, production special ;ties, and farm sizes. The report uses recent data to show the ... ide income variance IIIIICIng farms, a third of which are not profitable, and shows the major...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides subsidized credit to high-risk farm borrowers unable to obtain credit from commercial sources. To boost incomes and to relieve financial stress, Farm Service Agency programs can provide additional interest rate subsidies to borrowers. However, when...

Government programs to assist beginning farmers enjoy strong political support. Current Federal programs use credit enhancements to help beginning farmers purchase commercial farms; but higher debt loads increase financial risk. Future Federal policy may need to go beyond traditional credit...