Farming is the foundation of the well-being of all mankind. It is thanks to farmers and the agricultural industry that the entire population of the planet is provided with food. It is not for nothing that governments of different countries seek to encourage and help farmers. Let’s look at the United States as an example of how much farmers earn.
Let's Start with Statistics
At the end of 2019, the USDA agency predicted an increase in the profit of American agriculture. And not just growth, but a sevenfold increase in the profit of agricultural enterprises. If we consider macroeconomic indicators, then this increase is facilitated by the following factors.
- Supply chain disruptions during a pandemic,
- A short-term decline in grain prices while meat prices rise,
- Double increase in payments from the state.
Modern Technologies Are the Basis for the Profitability of the Agricultural Sector
Farmers in the United States are considered to be any entrepreneur who sells agricultural products for more than $ 1000 per year. If the farm does not sell anything, or its annual turnover does not reach this amount, then this is considered a simple kitchen garden. At the same time, there is a clear division of farmers according to their farming method:
- Owners of small farms, most often of elderly age, who are engaged in farming purely as a hobby.
- Organic farms, specializing in high-quality products and, accordingly, applying new technologies in their business.
- Large agricultural holdings that produce the vast majority of products for the United States and for export.
- Using of GPS for automatic steering of tractors.
- Drawing up accurate weather maps and forecasts, landscape maps.
- Using automatic fertilization and insecticide application.
- The use of drones for monitoring fields and spraying fertilizers.
- ·ntroduction of new types of agricultural machinery for harvesting and processing fields.
Marketing Methods to Increase Profits
Another factor that increases profits is the properly organized marketing of each farm. Searching for potential buyers, advertising your own products, working with social networks and individual buyers – all this also contributes to the popularization and growth of sales of an individual farm.
But if marketing is more of an auxiliary tool, then new technologies of precision ag are the main one. And it is exactly precision agriculture that influences the growth of farm profits in the United States.
Agriculture in the United States is on track for one of its three most profitable years in half a century. Adjusted for inflation, since 1973, projected farm net income for 2020 will only be exceeded compared to 2011 and 2013.
