It is not likely that North American agriculture will ever again see such a large magnitude gain in yield from technological advances, despite continued scientific developments in areas such as plant and animal genetics. However, these modern farming techniques have also had unintended consequences. Soil erosion increased, fragile lands were brought into production, water quality deteriorated, biological diversity was lessened, and surpluses accumulated. Lower net returns to farming due to surplus production along with labor saving techniques accelerated the exodus of farmers from agriculture. Many agricultural systems, particularly those involving animals, have incorporated industrial models to enhance efficiency and decrease risk.
Risk is perhaps the major barrier to adoption of sustainable practices.
For example, it is recognized that incorporating biological pest controls into agriculture management systems can reduce reliance on non-renewable inputs and lead to a more sustainable agricultural system. However, there may be an initial increased risk to a producer switching from a more chemical intensive system to one that adopts biological controls. Additional research and the subsequent transfer of research results will generate information to help minimize such risks. Farming and ranching have an inherently high financial risk. Yields and profit margins are subject to the vagaries of weather, markets, and changing government policies.