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Changes in Selected Characteristics of U. S. Farms During the 1970s and Early 1980s: An Investigation Based on Current and Constant Dollar Sales Categories

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 April 2015

Carl R. Zulauf
Carl R. Zulauf*
Affiliation:
The Ohio State University
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Abstract

Changes since 1970 in the distribution of selected farm characteristics among constant and current dollar farm sales categories were examined. In general, the same trends emerged but changes were less dramatic after adjusting for inflation. The increasing concentration of net farm income among farms with sales exceeding $500,000 was attributed in part to their continuing high ratio of gross farm income to expenses (approximately 145 percent). Farms with sales between $10,000 and $500,000 became more dependent on nonfarm income. This dependency is postulated to result from a farm income treadmill and use of nonfarm income to cope with the treadmill.

Keywords

deflated farm salesfarm sizeconcentrationnonfarm income

Information

Type
Submitted Articles
Information
Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics , Volume 18 , Issue 1 , July 1986 , pp. 113 - 122
Copyright
Copyright © Southern Agricultural Economics Association 1986

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