-moreFact Sheet Farm Credit Administration

1501 Farm Credit Drive

McLean, Virginia 22102-5090

June 11, 2015 Contact: Michael Stokke or Christine Quinn,

703-883-4056

E-mail: info-line@fca.gov

Website: www.fca.gov

Fact Sheet on Farm Credit System 

Young, Beginning and Small (YBS) Farmer Lending Results for 2014

In 2014, the pace of new lending to YBS farmers exceeded the pace in overall farm lending by 

Farm Credit System institutions. From 2013 to 2014, the share of total new System farm loans

made to each YBS category rose. 

The number of loans made in 2014 to young and beginning farmers increased by 2.0 percent 

and 1.8 percent from 2013, while overall the number of farm loans made by the System fell 1.8 

percent. The number of loans to small farmers declined by 1.4 percent, but because small 

farmer loans declined less than overall farm loans, the share of small farmer loans increased as 

well.

The dollar volume of new loans made to young and beginning categories rose in 2014 from 

2013 by 5.0 percent and 3.2 percent, respectively. The System’s overall volume of new farm 

loans grew by 1.8 percent. Therefore, the share of total System farm loan volume made to these 

categories rose from that of 2013. Loan volume to small farmers decreased 5.2 percent from 

2013. 

Because of a decline in repayments, the number and dollar volume of loans outstanding

increased in all three YBS categories in 2014 from 2013. The number of loans outstanding 

increased by 4.0 percent to beginning farmers, 3.5 percent to young farmers, and 1.2 percent to 

small farmers. The dollar volume outstanding increased by 7.4 percent to young farmers, 5.5 

percent to beginning farmers, and 1.7 percent to small farmers.

The following information summarizes the System’s 2014 lending activity to YBS farmers and 

ranchers. 

Young—In 2014, the System made 59,145 loans to young farmers—that is, to those who are 

35 years old or younger. The volume of total new loans to young farmers amounted to $8.7

billion. The loans made to young farmers in 2014 represented 16.9 percent of all farm loans 

made during the year and 11.3 percent of the dollar volume of loans made. At the end of 2014, 

the System had 181,736 loans outstanding to young farmers, totaling $25.5 billion.

Beginning—The System made 74,099 loans to beginning farmers—that is, to those who have 

been farming for 10 years or less. The volume of total new loans to beginning farmers 

amounted to $11.4 billion in 2014. The loans made to beginning farmers in 2014 represented 
2

21.2 percent of all farm loans made during the year and 14.8 percent of the dollar volume of 

loans made. At the end of 2014, the System had 263,277 loans outstanding to beginning 

farmers, totaling $39.0 billion.

Small—In 2014, FCS institutions made 140,608 loans, totaling $10.7 billion, to small farmers—

that is, to those with gross annual sales of less than $250,000. The loans made in 2014 to 

farmers in this category represented 40.2 percent of all farm loans made during the year and 

13.9 percent of the dollar volume of all farm loans made. At the end of 2014, the System had 

490,425 loans outstanding to small farmers, totaling $45.7 billion.

Data are reported separately for each of the three YBS borrower categories because the YBS 

mission is focused on each borrower group separately. Also, loans cannot be added across 

categories because some loans belong in more than one category. If, for example, a borrower is 

less than 35 years old, sells less than $250,000 in farm products per year, and has farmed for 

less than 10 years, the borrower’s loan would be included in every category. Therefore, adding 

the categories together would produce a misleading measurement of the System’s YBS lending 

involvement.

Totals reported include loans, advancements, and commitments made to farmers, ranchers, 

and aquatic producers, and exclude rural home loans, loans to cooperatives, and activities of 

the Farm Credit Leasing Services Corporation. In 2014, a total of 349,353 new farm loans were 

made, totaling $76.984 billion. The total outstanding farm loan numbers at year-end was 

1,012,793, amounting to $228.589 billion.

YBS Loans Outstanding as of December 31, 2014

Number of 

loans

Percentage 

of total 

number of 

System 

farm loans

Dollar volume 

of loans in 

millions

Percentage 

of total 

volume of 

System 

farm loans

Average 

loan size

Young 

farmers/ranchers 181,736 17.9 $25,542 11.2 $140,542

Beginning 

farmers/ranchers 263,277 26.0 $38,986 17.1 $148,079

Small 

farmers/ranchers 490,425 48.4 $45,673 20.0 $93,129

YBS Loans Made During 2014

Number of 

loans

Percentage 

of total 

number of 

System 

farm loans

Dollar volume 

of loans in 

millions

Percentage 

of total 

volume of 

System 

farm loans

Average 

loan size

Young 

farmers/ranchers 59,145 16.9 $8,729 11.3 $147,587

Beginning 

farmers/ranchers 74,099 21.2 $11,358 14.8 $153,280

Small 

farmers/ranchers 140,608 40.2 $10,737 13.9 $76,359

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