Reall real BIG Lies

[oneoff]

Seems to be a lot more down than up; but I can't explain it. Maybe the guy in charge could explain it to me.

[Burbert]

FARMERS #1 RULE *** 1/3 of income comes from the land, 1/3 of income comes from the government, 1/3 comes from crop insurance. Thats a sad sorry state for and industry, butt it is reality in Comedia! Like it or not that the way it happens. Give a component up, and 1/3 of income is lost.....

[charliep]

Larry has already highlighted but here is the graph in the Economist.

[URL="http://www.economist.com/node/16507149?story_id=16507149"]oecd graph[/URL]

[charliep]

I know the discussion has been about Canada but I note how much is being spent on agricultural subsidies world wide.

Begin quote
OECD countries spent $253 billion on farm subsidies in 2009—22% of gross farm receipts, the first increase since 2004. High agricultural commodity prices ensured payments slid, and reach a record low in 2008. Last year, this trend reversed as commodity prices fell.
End quote.

[skhadenuf]

Oneoff makes some valid points about the level of income made for the level of risk. So what you are saying oneoff is that governments take tax money to give to farmers so that they can pay high expenses to input corps etc. And to take that further input corps etc. control and fund our political parties therefore they are creating and part of this circle to take tax dollars ultimately not to benefit the farmer but the corporations is that what you are saying?

[furrowtickler]

burbot - only if grow board grains is your statement true, oh so very true.

[sewen]

How many farmers would be left if we didn't have canola to grow? I don't think there would be many in my area.

[oneoff]

Skhadenuf: Thats one scenario that makes sense to me; and its probably hard at work. There is also the strong possibility that there are multiple schemes at work all at the same time.

Farming is evolving and we are in a rapid period of change. Farm numbers are declining and will continue to do so. No one lives forever; so the average age of farmers can only go so far before they just can't keep up and continue forever. The young recruits aren't coming in fast enough to take up the slack (on average); as potential candidates wisely shun full time farming vocations in their younger years in favor of real money making jobs. Some decades later; there are always some interesting turns of events.

Bottom line is farming is a little like the lifesyle of a committed artist. You're so addicted to it that you never really consider anything else. You may very well live your whole life at what anyone would say is poverty levels; but you are content enough to continue on way past what would normally be considered enough.
But don't tell me there aren't options; and that they shouldn't be discussed with those who finally realize that the system does't seeem to be giving the average farmer (or artist) a fair shake.
I'll applaud if something creative happens and the selfish self centered individuals amongst us get to sit out a round or two.