-moreFact Sheet Farm Credit Administration

1501 Farm Credit Drive

McLean, VA 22102-5090

June 8, 2017 Contact: Mike Stokke or Christine Quinn, 

703-883-4056

Email: info-line@fca.gov

Website: www.fca.gov

Fact Sheet on Farm Credit System 

Young, Beginning and Small (YBS) Farmer Lending Results for 2016

In 2016, the pace of new lending to YBS farmers remained relatively flat. In terms of 

dollar volume, the pace of YBS lending slightly exceeded the pace of overall farm lending by 

Farm Credit System institutions. In terms of loan numbers, the pace of YBS lending lagged 

slightly behind the pace of overall farm lending.

From 2015 to 2016, the dollar volume of new loans made to small farmers rose 3.3 

percent, while the dollar volume of new loans to young and beginning farmers declined by 

1.9 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively. However, since the dollar volume of the Farm 

Credit System’s overall farm lending declined by 5.4 percent in 2016, the proportion of the 

System’s dollar volume going to every YBS category actually increased slightly.

On the other hand, all three YBS categories experienced slight declines in the number of 

loans made in 2016. The number of loans to young farmers declined by 0.2 percent, to 

beginning farmers by 0.6 percent, and to small farmers by 0.2 percent. By contrast, the 

System’s overall number of new farm loans grew by 0.5 percent. 

For loans outstanding, the dollar volume increased in all three categories. Loan volume 

to young farmers increased by 2.6 percent, to beginning farmers by 3.2 percent, and to 

small farmers by 2.1 percent. The System’s overall farm loan volume grew by 2.8 percent. 

The number of YBS loans outstanding presented mixed results. The number of loans 

outstanding to young farmers grew by 1.2 percent and to beginning farmers by 1.5 percent, 

while the System’s overall number of farm loans grew by only 0.1 percent. However, the 

number of loans outstanding to small farmers decreased by 0.1 percent. 

The following information summarizes the System’s 2016 lending activity to YBS farmers 

and ranchers. 

Young — In 2016, the System made 62,000 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 $9.2 billion. The loans to young farmers in 2016 represented 17.0 percent of all farm 

loans made during the year and 11.7 percent of the dollar volume of loans made. At the end 
2

of 2016, the System had 190,995 loans outstanding to young farmers, totaling $27.8 

billion.

Beginning — The System made 79,166 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 $12.7 billion in 2016. The loans made to beginning farmers in 2016 

represented 21.7 percent of all farm loans made during the year and 16.0 percent of the 

dollar volume of loans made. At the end of 2016, the System had 279,019 loans 

outstanding to beginning farmers, totaling $42.8 billion.

Small — In 2016, FCS institutions made 149,691 loans, totaling $12.2 billion, to small 

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

in 2016 to farmers in this category represented 41.1 percent of all farm loans made during 

the year and 15.4 percent of the dollar volume of all farm loans made. At the end of 2016, 

the System had 501,874 loans outstanding to small farmers, totaling $47.7 billion.

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 2016, a total of 363,988 new 

farm loans were made, totaling $79.261 billion. The total outstanding farm loan numbers at 

year-end was 1,043,246, amounting to $252.341 billion.

YBS loans made during 2016

As of December 31 

YBS 

category

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 62,000 17.0 $9,247 11.7 $149,143

Beginning 79,166 21.7 $12,707 16.0 $160,514

Small 149,691 41.1 $12,207 15.4 $81,545

YBS loans outstanding

As of December 31, 2016

YBS 

category

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 190,995 18.3 $27,784 11.0 $145,471

Beginning 279,019 26.7 $42,817 17.0 $153,457

Small 501,874 48.1 $47,699 18.9 $95,042

Sources: Annual YBS Farmer Reports submitted by each System lender through the Farm Credit banks.

Note: Because the YBS mission is focused on each borrower group separately, data are 

reported separately for each of the three YBS borrower categories. Since some loans fit 

more than one category, adding the loans across categories does not produce an accurate 

measure of the System’s YBS lending involvement.

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