Commodity payments, farm business survival, and farm size growth
By: Nigel Key, Michael J. Roberts.
Contributors: Roberts, Michael J.; United States. Dept. of Agriculture. Economic Research Service.
Series: Economic research report -- no. 51.; Economic research report (United States. Dept. of Agriculture. Economic Research Service) -- no. 51.
Publisher: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Economic Research Service
Published: 2007
Place of publication: [Washington, D.C. ]
Language: eng
Number of pages: 41
Subjects: Agricultural subsidies -- United States.; Farms, Size of -- Economic aspects -- United States.; Crops -- Economic aspects -- United States.
Description: In the last 25 years, U.S. crop farms have steadily declined in number and grown in average size, as production has shifted to larger operations. Larger farms tend to receive more commodity program payments because most payments are tied to a farm's current or historical production, but whether payments have contributed to farm growth is uncertain. This study uses farm-level data from the census of agriculture to determine whether there is a statistical relationship between farm commodity program payments and greater concentration in production. The analysis indicates that, at the regional level, higher commodity program payments per acre are associated with subsequent farm growth. Also, higher payments per acre are associated with higher rates of farm survival and growth.
Notes: Cover title.

"November, 2007."

Includes bibliographical references (p. 34-37).

Also available on the World Wide Web.