UNL CropWatch Nov. 5, 2010: Cornhusker Economics: The eHarmony of Farm Succession

UNL CropWatch Nov. 5, 2010: Cornhusker Economics: The eHarmony of Farm Succession

November 5, 2010

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The age of Nebraska’s farm and ranch operators continues to trend older.  Statistics from the National Census of Agriculture indicate that in 1982 there were 13,436 operators of Nebraska farms or ranches under the age of 35. In the most recent Census of Agriculture taken in 2007, the number of Nebraska operators under age 35 declined to 3,353.

The 1982 Census indicated the number of operators age 65 and over was 8,777, while in 2007 the Nebraska operators age 65 and over increased to 13,062. Nebraska currently has only 25% as many operators under 35 years of age as it did in 1982. During the same 25-year period, those Nebraska farm and ranch operators 65 and over increased to 149%.

So what happens in a few years when the 13,000 plus operators over age 65, for whatever reason, are no longer operating their farm or ranch?  There tend to be three options.

To learn about the three options, see this week's Cornhusker Economics article by Dave Goeller, UNL extension beginning farm coordinator.

Also, read past issues of Cornhusker Economics, a weekly newsletter from the UNL Department of Agricultural Economics, at www.agecon.unl.edu/Cornhuskereconomics.html
 

 

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