Some have been adopted by a few growers. But more often than not, a larger percentage have proven not to be long-term profitable. Some are currently being produced elsewhere. Some employ technology just coming onto the market. But the final analysis tells us any new food or fiber item coming onto the market will have to compete with commodities currently being consumed or used.
Agricultural productivity stays ahead of the market to consume farm commodities.
The farm problem in the 1930s was one of low commodity prices. While the nation was in the throes of a depression at that time, excess farm output pushed the prices often below the cost of production. This prompted the beginning of farm program legislation which has been in place since but has not stopped farm output and price cycles. Despite legislation intended to limit output, farmers have continued to become more efficient. The result has been elimination of less efficient operations with the remaining farms becoming larger and producing more commodities than before.