Farm financial performance measures are evaluated for producers across five age groups. The debt-to-asset ratio is highest for farmers in the lessthan- 30 age group, 45.5 percent, and decreases across age groups. Repayment capacity is strongest for farmers in the less-than-30 age group, 2.1:1,...

Anecdotal evidence suggests that agricultural land values are influenced by recreational demands, in particular hunting. This study estimated that the impact that hunting pressure, beef prices, and lagged land values had on county-level pasture values in North Dakota. Using panel data from...

With farm income at record, or near record levels, the overall agricultural production sector has fared well. However, in the current economic climate, instability and volatility in certain agricultural input markets caused by the U.S. macro-economy has put increased pressure on some sub-sectors...

This article reports the responses from a survey of 45 independent rural appraisers in 18 states and 1 Canadian province who have started their own independent business. All were members of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers in 2006 and held the ARA designation. When they...

From a practical stand point, the precision and robustness of forecasting agricultural land values are evaluated in two out-of-sample time periods. Empirical application to five Midwestern states in the U.S. indicates the annually updated model performed well.

Mailbox milk prices from a representative dairy operation in Illinois are used to gauge the farmlevel hedging effectiveness of Class III milk futures traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Predominantly used by manufacturers and end users to price cheese, the Class III milk futures are not...

Preconditioning calf programs add value for buyers. Models estimated with data collected for calves certified under the Oklahoma Quality Beef Network (OQBN) in 2001- 2003 generally found premiums paid for certified, preconditioned calves versus calves neither weaned nor vaccinated. Larger...

Succession planning is a component of a household’s risk management strategy for its farm business in as much as it is aimed at continuity of the business' management team. The family farm sector relies heavily on intergenerational succession. Succession and retirement are inter-linked...

Farmland values have recently increased dramatically in the Midwest, attracting investors from outside of agriculture and causing many inside agriculture to question whether a speculative bubble has formed. This article addresses that question by presenting an economic by presenting an economic...

The recent rises in production costs pose new challenges to farmers. However, price increases are not proportionate across input categories with the most dramatic increases in energy and energyintensive inputs such as fertilizer. Consequently, the relative impact of rising input costs on...