Farmers have always been free to farm what they want when they want, but federal subsidies have been so attractive that the vast majority have had little choice but to sign up and follow the federal rules. They may detest the voluntary subsidy program, but the fact remains they are hooked and haven't been able to live without it. Currently, it is estimated that most farmers would make no profit and many would lose money on their crops without such subsidy programs. Experts say it will hinge on their ability to adapt to the increasingly sophisticated world of modern farming. This isn't the world of combines and tractors.
Farmers know that many of their colleagues are going out of business in the next couple of years.
But they say it will be the poor managers and the ones who don't plan for the future who will lose in the shakeout. The farmer who survive will be those who understand risk management and marketing techniques while making the right moves when selling the crops. It will be based on your ability to market as well as produce. If things do go sour, some farmers expect the government would step back in and save the day. Farming shouldn't be any different.