America’s agricultural producers continue to age. According to the U.S. Census of Agriculture, the average age of farm operators increased from 55.3 in 2002 to 57.1 in 2007. During the same period, the Census shows a thirty percent decrease in the number of farmers under the age of 25. Young...

This paper presents a detailed summary analysis of commercial bank, Farm Credit System (FCS), and other commercial lenders use of Farm Service Agency (FSA) guaranteed loan program over the time period fiscal 1993-2003. Key aspects of the guaranteed program are examined including the usage level...

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) direct farm loan programs provide credit to family-sized farms including beginning farmers and socially disadvantaged applicants. Approximately 37 percent of all U.S. farms are estimated to be eligible for FSA direct loans when farm size, credit needs, years of...

U.S. agriculture has seen a decrease in of producers under the age of 35 entering agriculture for the past thirty years. This paper will explore the design and possible implementation of an innovative loan program designed give qualifying new young and beginning producers concessionary interest...

Regression analysis is used to estimate static and dynamic restructuring, direct and external effects of mergers from 1994 to 2001 on bank agricultural loan-to-asset ratios. Results indicate that mergers have a negative effect on agricultural loan ratios. The effect is less pronounced for...

Classical and count data regression models are estimated to predict improvement in three key financial indicators—net worth, debt-to-asset ratio and current ratio—as well as the number of loan restructurings and delinquencies. Data consist of Farm Service Agency direct loans originated in...