U.S. Farm Income
Randy Schnepf
Specialist in Agricultural Policy
February 28, 2014
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
R40152

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U.S. Farm Income

Summary
According to USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS), national net farm income—a key
indicator of U.S. farm well-being—is forecast at $95.8 billion in 2014, down 27% from last
year’s record $130.5 billion. The 2014 forecast would be the lowest since 2010, but would remain
$8 billion above the previous 10-year average.
The forecast for lower net farm income and net cash income is primarily a result of the outlook
for lower crop receipts and government payments. In contrast, livestock returns are forecast to be
steady to slightly higher. The 2014 farm bill (Agricultural Act of 2014; P.L. 113-79) eliminated
direct payments of nearly $5 billion per year, while market prices for program crops—despite
their plunge since late 2013—are expected to remain above trigger levels for price-contingent
programs, thus keeping government program support at historically low levels in 2014.
U.S. agricultural exports are forecast to grow in importance for the sector as expanding
international economies are expected to lead to continued increases in demand for both higher-
quality foods and greater variety of consumer choice in household diets.
In addition to record net farm income, farm wealth is also projected to remain at record levels.
Farm asset values—which reflect farm investors’ and lenders’ expectations about long-term
profitability of farm-sector investments—are expected to rise by 2.4% in 2014 to a record $3,001
billion for a sixth consecutive year of gains. However, the outlook for much lower commodity
prices in 2014 has slowed the previously rapid growth of farmland values. Farm debt is projected
to rise by 2.3% in 2014, thus lowering the farm debt-to-asset ratio only slightly to 10.5%, its
lowest level since 2007.
At the farm-household level, average farm household incomes have surged ahead of average U.S.
household incomes. In 2013 (the last year for which comparable data were available), the average
farm household income of $108,844 was about 53% higher than the average U.S. household
income of $71,274.
These data suggest a strong financial position heading into 2014 for the agricultural sector as a
whole relative to the rest of the U.S. economy, but with substantial regional variation. Declining
prices for most major program crops signal tougher times ahead. Eventual 2014 agricultural
economic well-being will hinge greatly on the final crop harvests and harvest-time prices, as well
as both domestic and international macroeconomic factors, including economic growth and
consumer demand.


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Contents
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1
USDA’s 2014 Farm Income Forecast .............................................................................................. 3
Selected Highlights .................................................................................................................... 3
Outlook for U.S. Agriculture for 2014 ...................................................................................... 4
Recap of U.S. Agriculture in 2013 ............................................................................................ 5
2014 Forecast Cash Receipt Highlights ................................................................................... 10
Crop Highlights ................................................................................................................. 11
Livestock Highlights ......................................................................................................... 12
Government Payment Highlights ...................................................................................... 13
Production Expense Highlights ............................................................................................... 15
Agricultural Trade Outlook ..................................................................................................... 16
Farm Asset Values and Debt .......................................................................................................... 20
Average Farm Household Income ................................................................................................. 21
On-Farm vs. Off-Farm Income Shares .................................................................................... 21
U.S. vs. Farm Household Income ............................................................................................ 22
Farm Household Income by Sales Class ................................................................................. 24

Figures
Figure 1. Annual U.S. Farm Sector Nominal Income, 1960 to 2014F ............................................. 2
Figure 2. Annual U.S. Farm Sector Inflation-Adjusted Income, 1960 to 2014F ............................. 2
Figure 3. U.S. Corn Stocks-to-Use Share to Rise, Prices to Fall in 2014 ........................................ 6
Figure 4. U.S. Soybean Stocks-to-Use Share to Grow, Prices to Fall in 2014 ................................ 6
Figure 5. Monthly Farm Prices for Corn, Soybeans, and Wheat, Nominal Dollars ........................ 7
Figure 6. Monthly Farm Prices for Corn, Soybeans, and Wheat, Indexed Dollars ......................... 7
Figure 7. Monthly Farm Prices for Cotton and Rice, Nominal Dollars ........................................... 8
Figure 8. Monthly Farm Prices for Cotton and Rice, Indexed Dollars ............................................ 8
Figure 9. The Milk-to-Feed Margin Rose to Profitable Levels in 2013 .......................................... 9
Figure 10. The Farm-Price-to-Feed Ratios Turned Favorable for Livestock in 2013...................... 9
Figure 11. Farm Cash Receipts by Source, 1990 to 2014F ............................................................ 10
Figure 12. Crop Cash Receipts by Source, 2007 to 2014F ............................................................ 11
Figure 13. U.S. Livestock Product Cash Receipts by Source, 2007 to 2014F ............................... 12
Figure 14. U.S. Government Farm Support, Direct Outlays, 1997 to 2014F ................................ 13
Figure 15. Farm Cash Production Expenses by Source, 2007 to 2014F ........................................ 15
Figure 16. U.S. Agricultural Trade Since 1970 .............................................................................. 16
Figure 17. U.S. Agricultural Exports Have Surged Higher Since 2006 Driven by China,
NAFTA partners (Canada & Mexico), and Developing Countries ............................................. 17
Figure 18. U.S. Agricultural Trade: Bulk vs. High-Value Shares .................................................. 18
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Figure 19. U.S. Agricultural Export Value as Share of Gross Cash Income .................................. 18
Figure 20. U.S. Average Farm Land Values, 1985 to 2013F ......................................................... 19
Figure 21. Real Estate Assets Comprise 82% of Total Farm Sector Assets in 2014 ...................... 19
Figure 22. U.S. Farm Debt-to-Asset Ratio Since 1960 .................................................................. 21
Figure 23. U.S. Average Farm Household Income, On- and Off-Farm Sources,
Since 1960 .................................................................................................................................. 22
Figure 24. U.S. Farm Household Incomes Have Surged Well Above Average Household
Income Since 1996 ..................................................................................................................... 23
Figure 25. U.S. Farm vs. Average Household Incomes Expressed as a Ratio ............................... 23

Tables
Table 1. Distribution of Farms and Value of Production by Gross Farm Sales, 2011 ................... 24
Table 2. U.S. Crop and Livestock Revenue by Source, 2008-2014F ............................................ 25
Table 3. U.S. Farm Production Expenses by Source, 2008-2014F ................................................ 26
Table 4. Annual U.S. Farm Income Since 2007 ............................................................................. 27
Table 5. Average Annual Income per U.S. Household, Farm versus All, 2006-2013F .................. 28
Table 6. Average Annual Farm Sector Debt-to-Asset Ratio, 2006-2014F ..................................... 28
Table 7. U.S. Prices and Support Rates for Selected Farm Commodities Since 2008/09
Marketing Year ........................................................................................................................... 29

Contacts
Author Contact Information........................................................................................................... 30

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Introduction
The U.S. farm sector is vast and varied. It encompasses production activities related to traditional
field crops (such as corn, soybeans, wheat, and cotton) and livestock and poultry products
(including meat, dairy, and eggs), as well as fruits, tree nuts, and vegetables. In addition, U.S.
agricultural output includes greenhouse and nursery products, forest products, custom work,
machine hire, and other farm-related activities. The intensity and economic importance of each of
these activities, as well as their underlying market structure and production processes, vary
regionally based on the agro-climatic setting, market conditions, and other factors. As a result,
farm income and rural economic conditions may vary substantially across the United States.1
However, this report focuses singularly on aggregate national net farm income and the farm debt-
to-asset status as reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).2
Annual U.S. net farm income is the single most watched indicator of farm sector well-being, as it
captures and reflects the entirety of economic activity across the range of production processes,
input expenses, and marketing conditions that have persisted during a specific time period. When
national net farm income is reported together with a measure of the national farm debt-to-asset
situation, the two summary statistics provide a quick indicator of the economic well-being of the
national farm economy.

Measuring Farm Profitability
Two different indicators measure farm profitability: net cash income and net farm income.
Net cash income compares cash receipts to cash expenses. As such, it is a cash flow measure representing the
funds that are available to farm operators to meet family living expenses and make debt payments. For example, crops
that are produced and harvested but kept in on-farm storage are not counted in net cash income. Farm output must
be sold before it is counted as part of the household’s cash flow.
Net farm income is a value of production measure, indicating the farm operator’s share of the net value added to
the national economy within a calendar year, independent of whether it is received in cash or noncash form. As a
result, net farm income includes the value of home consumption, changes in inventories, capital replacement, and
implicit rent and expenses related to the farm operator’s dwelling that are not reflected in cash transactions. Thus,
once a crop is grown and harvested it is included in the farm’s net income calculation, even if it remains in on-farm
storage.
•
Net cash income is generally less variable than net farm income. Farmers can manage the timing of crop and
livestock sales and of the purchase of inputs to stabilize the variability in their net cash income. For example,
farmers can hold crops from large harvests to sell in the forthcoming year, when output may be lower and prices
higher.
•
Off-farm income and crop insurance subsidies, both of which have increased in importance in recent years, are
not included in the calculation of aggregate farm income.
•
Off-farm income is included in the discussion of farm income at the household level in the last section of this
report.

1 For information on state-level farm income, see the “U.S. and State Farm Income and Wealth Statistics,” available as
part of the Farm Income and Wealth Statistics, Farm Income and Costs, Farm Economy Topics, Economic Research
Service (ERS), USDA, at http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/farm-income-and-wealth-statistics.aspx.
2 For a more detailed discussion of the issues in this report, see the Briefing Room “Farm Income and Costs: 2014 Farm
Sector Income Forecast,” ERS, USDA, at http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/farm-economy/farm-sector-income-finances/
highlights-from-the-2014-farm-income-forecast.aspx.
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Figure 1. Annual U.S. Farm Sector Nominal Income, 1960 to 2014F
$150
$125
$100
$75
Net Cash Income
$50
Net Farm Income
$25
$0
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010

Source: USDA, ERS, “2014 Farm Income Forecast,” February 11, 2014. Al values are in nominal terms, that is,
not adjusted for inflation. 2013 is preliminary, 2014 is forecast.
Figure 2. Annual U.S. Farm Sector Inflation-Adjusted Income, 1960 to 2014F
$150
$125
Net Cash Income
$100
$75
$50
Net Farm Income
$25
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010

Source: USDA, ERS, “2014 Farm Income Forecast,” February 11, 2014. Al values are adjusted for inflation using
the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Consumer Price Index (CPI) where 2002-2003=100. 2013 is preliminary,
2014 is forecast.
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USDA’s 2014 Farm Income Forecast
Both net farm income and net cash income are forecast down sharply in 2014, primarily as a
result of lower crop receipts and government payments. In contrast, livestock returns are forecast
to be steady to slightly higher. The 2014 farm bill (Agricultural Act of 2014; P.L. 113-79)
eliminated direct payments of nearly $5 billion per year, while market prices for program crops—
despite their plunge since late 2013—are expected to remain above trigger levels for price-
contingent programs, thus keeping government program support at historically low levels in
2014. U.S. agricultural exports are forecast to grow in importance for the sector as expanding
international economies are expected to lead to continued increases in demand for both higher-
quality foods and greater variety of consumer choice in household diets.
Total farm asset values are forecast up slightly to a sixth consecutive record high in 2014, while
the debt-to-asset ratio is expected to decline slightly to 10.5%, the second-lowest level since
1960.3 These data suggest a strong financial position heading into 2014 for the agricultural sector
as a whole relative to the rest of the U.S. economy, but with substantial regional variation.
These forecasts are still very preliminary and will depend on actual planting decisions made this
spring as well as on weather during the planting, growing, and harvesting seasons. The ongoing
drought in California is of particular concern since nearly half of U.S. fruit, vegetable, and tree
nut production occurs there. Also, there is some uncertainty about producer participation under
the new safety net programs of the 2014 farm bill.
Selected Highlights
• U.S. net farm income is forecast at $95.8 billion in 2014, about $35 billion (27%)
below 2013 (Figure 1 and Table 4).4 When adjusted for inflation (Figure 2), last
year’s (2013’s) net farm income forecast is the highest since 1973.
• Measured in cash terms, net cash income in 2014 is projected lower at $102
billion, down 22% from last year. An estimated $6 billion in commodity sales
from carryover 2013 end-of-year inventories prevents net cash income from
falling as far as net farm income.
• Farm prices for most feedstuffs—feed grains (corn, sorghum, barley, and oats),
hay, and protein meals—as well as soybeans have declined sharply through the
2013 harvest and are projected to continue lower in 2014 as U.S. and global grain
and oilseed stocks rebuild.
• Projections based on normal weather patterns and only minor decreases in crop
planting this spring are expected to result in modest production increases
(including record corn and soybean harvests), but which fail to offset projected
large price declines, thus resulting in lower crop receipts in 2014.
• Despite large declines, commodity prices remain above government support
levels, thus shutting off price-contingent payments. When coupled with the

3 See discussion later in the report in the section “Farm Asset Values and Debt.”
4 USDA, ERS, Farm Sector Income & Finances, updated November 26, 2013.
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elimination of direct payments by the 2014 farm bill, total government payments
in 2014 are projected to fall to $6.1 billion, the lowest level since prior to the
1996 farm bill, when direct payments were initiated (Figure 14).
• Total production expenses, at $348 billion, are projected 1% lower in 2014 driven
by lower feed costs (down 11%), fertilizer costs (down 12%), and net rent to non-
operator landlords (down 10%).
• Record global demand is expected to boost U.S. agricultural product exports to a
record high $142.6 billion in 2014, up 1% from the previous year’s record.
• Record farm asset values in 2014 ($3,001 billion), driven by continued strong
land values, are expected to exceed increases in farm debt ($316 billion),
resulting in a sixth successive record high for farm equity ($2,685 billion) and a
debt-to-asset ratio of 10.5%, second lowest since 1960.
Outlook for U.S. Agriculture for 2014
Assuming normal weather conditions prevail in major growing regions, USDA projects that the
2014/2015 growing period is likely to see a continued rebuilding of global grain and oilseed
stocks that began with the large harvests of 2013, thus further moderating crop prices in
international markets (Figure 5 through Figure 8). The improving conditions for the livestock
sector are evidenced by tracking the evolution of the ratio of livestock output prices to feed costs
(Figure 9 and Figure 10), which rose steadily through 2013 and is projected to continue to
improve into 2014.5 However, due to a substantial biological lag in production, the cattle and hog
sectors are expected to respond slowly to the improving conditions—that is, delayed supply
increases are expected to support relatively high farm prices through 2014. As a result, retail meat
prices in 2014 are projected up 3% to 4% for beef and poultry, and 2% to 3% for pork.
The two largest U.S. commercial crops—in terms of both value and quantity—are corn and
soybeans. These two crops provide important inputs for domestic livestock, poultry, and biofuels
sectors. In addition, the United States has traditionally been one of the world’s leading exporters
of corn, soybeans, and soybean products—vegetable oil and meal. As a result, the outlook for
these two crops is critical to both farm sector profitability and regional economic activity across
large swaths of the United States, as well as in international markets. Both corn and soybeans are
projected to enjoy record harvests (assuming normal weather and trend yields), thus helping to
rebuild stocks and pressure prices lower (Figure 3 and Figure 4).6
USDA highlights four factors as crucial in determining how the U.S. agricultural economy will
fair in 2014 and beyond: (1) record global demand, which is expected to boost U.S. agricultural
exports; (2) continued strong corn use for ethanol in 2014 with projections of continued growth
over the next 10 years; (3) uncertainties surrounding the new farm bill, which will present
program choices for most row crop farmers but are expected to have minimal impact on planting
decisions; and (4) substantial uncertainty regarding lingering drought in the West, which could

5 Feed costs are generally the largest cost component in livestock operations ranging from 30% to 80% of variable
costs. A historical comparison of livestock output prices to feed costs provides an indicator of sector profitability—
rising output prices relative to feed costs suggest improving profitability.
6 Commodity-specific 2014 outlook reports by USDA from the USDA Outlook Forum, Feb. 21, 2014; are available at
http://www.usda.gov/oce/forum/commodity.html.
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continue to affect livestock and specialty crops such as fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts,
particularly in California.7
Recap of U.S. Agriculture in 2013
U.S. crop production was severely reduced in 2012 due to one of the worst nationwide droughts
in several decades. As a result, heading into the 2013 crop year, both corn and soybeans had
season-ending stocks projected at or near historic low levels relative to annual usage (Figure 3
and Figure 4). With record-high commodity prices in early 2013 (Figure 5), most market
watchers anticipated substantial increases in planted acres for both corn and soybeans. However,
an exceptionally wet spring across major crop regions of the corn-belt and prairie states resulted
in substantial delays in crop planting as well as above-average prevented planting acres. A late-
planted crop tends to be more vulnerable to summer heat and dryness and an early frost in the
fall, because the normal growing cycle is pushed later into the summer and fall months.
Despite the delay in plantings, producers—driven by record-high farm prices—still managed to
plant 95.3 million acres of corn, down slightly from 2012 plantings but still the second-most since
1936, and 76.5 million acres of soybeans (equal to average plantings during the preceding five
years). As a result, in its preliminary outlook report for the 2013 crop year, USDA forecast a
record harvest for both crops assuming normal weather and a return to trend yields.8 In early
summer, this record harvest outlook began to weigh on market prices. By November, USDA
projected U.S. corn production at a record 14 billion bushels and a near-record soybean crop of
3.3 billion bushels.9 These large crops pushed both crop prices and feed costs lower—thus
simultaneously diminishing the crop revenue outlook while bolstering the livestock sector
profitability outlook.
Meanwhile, the high feed costs and lack of forage from severe drought conditions across much of
the United States’ major crop growing regions during 2012 had resulted in substantial herd
liquidation and declining cattle supplies. In early 2013 the dairy, hog, and poultry sectors were
also still under extreme financial pressure from high feed costs that had persisted since early
2011. This situation slowly began to unwind during 2013 as crop prospects improved. Record or
near-record high meat and dairy products prices coupled with sharply lower prices for their major
cost component—feed grains and protein meals (derived primarily from crushing oilseeds)—
reversed the severe economic pressure that the U.S. livestock, poultry, and dairy sectors had
experienced during 2011 and 2012.
Cash receipts for other crops (Table 2), including fruits and tree nuts, vegetables and melons, and
nursery crops and other horticulture, were also very favorable, as they generated a combined
record cash revenue of $78.3 billion, up nearly 7% from 2012’s record output.
In short, 2013 was one of the most favorable years ever recorded for U.S. agriculture and
represents a very high peak from which the success of 2014 will be judged.

7 Joseph Glauber, “The Outlook for U.S. Agriculture,” USDA Outlook Forum, February 20, 2014; speech and
presentation available at http://www.usda.gov/oce/forum/index.htm.
8 World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB), World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) Report,
November 8, 2013.
9 WAOB, WASDE, USDA, August 12, 2013.
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Figure 3. U.S. Corn Stocks-to-Use Share to Rise, Prices to Fall in 2014
Stocks-to-Use Ratio
$/bushel
70%
$8.00
$6.89
60%
$7.00
$6.00
50%
$5.00
40%
$4.00
$3.90
30%
$3.00
20%
15.8%
$2.00
7%
10%
5%
$1.00
0%
$0.00
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010

Source: Data through 2013: WAOB, USDA, WASDE, Feb. 10, 2014; 2014 forecast: USDA Outlook Forum.
Figure 4. U.S. Soybean Stocks-to-Use Share to Grow, Prices to Fall in 2014
Stocks-to-Use Ratio
$/bushel
35%
$16.00
$14.40
30%
$14.00
$12.00
25%
$10.00
20%
$9.65
$8.00
15%
$6.00
10%
$4.00
8.3%
5.4%
4.6%
4.4%
5%
$2.00
4.0%
0%
$0.00
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010

Source: Data through 2013: WAOB, USDA, WASDE, Feb. 10, 2014; 2014 forecast: USDA Outlook Forum.
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Figure 5. Monthly Farm Prices for Corn, Soybeans, and Wheat, Nominal Dollars
$ per bu. (corn)
$ per bu. (soybeans, wheat)
$8
$16
Soybeans
$6
$12
Corn
$4
$8
Wheat
$2
$4
$0
$0
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014

Source: USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Prices, January 31, 2014.
Figure 6. Monthly Farm Prices for Corn, Soybeans, and Wheat, Indexed Dollars
350
Corn
300
250
2002-2003 = 100
200
Wheat
Soybeans
150
100
50
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014

Source: USDA, NASS, Agricultural Prices, January 31, 2014.
Notes: Prices are indexed to 2002-2003 = 100 to permit relative comparisons.
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Figure 7. Monthly Farm Prices for Cotton and Rice, Nominal Dollars
$20
$100
Rice
$16
$80
Cotton
rice) $12
$60
t (
ton)
ot
cw
(c
er
$ p $8
$40
r pound
pe
$
$4
$20
$0
$0
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014

Source: USDA, NASS, Agricultural Prices, January 31, 2014.
Notes: cwt = hundredweight or units of 100 lbs.
Figure 8. Monthly Farm Prices for Cotton and Rice, Indexed Dollars
400
350
Rice
300
2002-2003 = 100
250
200
Cotton
150
100
50
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014

Source: USDA, NASS, Agricultural Prices, January 31, 2014.
Notes: Prices are indexed to 2002-2003 = 100 to permit relative comparisons.
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Figure 9. The Milk-to-Feed Margin Rose to Profitable Levels in 2013
(Ratio of national average farm-price received per 100 lbs. of milk to feed costs)
$/cwt.
$16
$14
$12
$10
$8
$6
$4
$2
$02000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014

Source: USDA, NASS, Agricultural Prices, January 31, 2014; calculations by CRS.
Note: For pricing dairy feed, USDA uses 51% corn, 8% soybeans, and 41% alfalfa.
Figure 10. The Farm-Price-to-Feed Ratios Turned Favorable for Livestock in 2013
(Ratio of national average farm-price received per 100 lbs. of meat to per-unit feed cost)
60
9
Steers & Heifers
500+ lbs
50
40
6
Broilers (right axis)
30
20
3
10
Hogs
0
0
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014

Source: USDA, NASS, Agricultural Prices, January 31, 2014.
Notes: Cattle and hog feed cost is 100% corn; broilers feed cost is 58% corn, 42% soybeans.
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2014 Forecast Cash Receipt Highlights
• Total farm sector gross cash receipts for 2014 are projected at $412.3 billion,
down 7% from last year’s record (Figure 11 and Table 2) driven largely by
falling field crop revenues.
• Farm sector revenue sources and shares include crop revenues (46% of sector
revenues), livestock receipts (45%), government payments (about 2%), and other
farm-related income, including crop insurance indemnities, machine hire, and
custom work (8%).
Figure 11. Farm Cash Receipts by Source, 1990 to 2014F
$450
Government Payments
Farm-Related Income
$375
$300
$225
$150
Livestock Product Receipts
$75
Crop Receipts
$0
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010

Source: USDA, ERS, “2014 Farm Income Forecast,” February 11, 2014.
Notes: 2014 is forecast. Receipts from crop and livestock product sales, and government payments, are
described in more detail below. Farm-related income includes income from custom work, machine hire, agri-
tourism, forest product sales, insurance indemnities, and cooperative patronage dividend fees.

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Figure 12. Crop Cash Receipts by Source, 2007 to 2014F
$250
$200
Other
Cotton
Fruit &
Vegs
$150
Food
crops
$100
Oil
crops
$50
Feed
crops
$0
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013F
2014F

Source: USDA, ERS, “2014 Farm Income Forecast,” February 11, 2014.
Notes: 2013 is preliminary, 2014 is forecast. See Table 2 for details.
Crop Highlights
Total crop sales are projected at $189 billion, down 12% year-to-year (Figure 11). The crop
sector includes projections for:
• feed crops—corn, barley, oats, sorghum, and hay—of $60 billion, down 15%;
• oil crops—soybeans, peanuts, and other minor oilseeds—of $36.5 billion, down
16%;
• food grains—wheat and rice—of $14 billion, down 20%;
• fruits and nuts, vegetables, and melons of $46 billion, down 11%;
• cotton of $5.9 billion, up 11%; and
• all other crops including tobacco of a record $26.8 billion, up slightly by 0.2%.
The length and severity of the California drought has important national implications for retail
food prices—California accounts for about one-third of U.S. vegetable production, almost two-
thirds of U.S. fruit and nut, about 20% of U.S. milk, and a substantial portion of wine production.
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Figure 13. U.S. Livestock Product Cash Receipts by Source, 2007 to 2014F
$180
Other
$150
Dairy
Poultry
$120
&
Eggs
$90
Hogs
$60
Cattle
&
$30
calves
$0
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013F
2014F

Source: USDA, ERS, “2013 Farm Income Forecast,” February 11, 2014.
Notes: 2013 is preliminary, 2014 is forecast. See Table 2 for details.
Livestock Highlights
The livestock sector, broadly defined, includes cattle, hogs, sheep, poultry and eggs, dairy, and
other minor activities. Cash receipts for the livestock sector are projected record-large in 2014 at
$183.4 billion, up about 1% from the previous year’s record, driven largely by projected gains in
dairy.
Highlights for individual activities include projections for:
• record cattle and calf sales of over $69 billion, up slightly by 0.6%;
• hog sales of $21.8 billion, down 6% from last year’s record;
• poultry and egg sales of $43.7 billion, down about 2% from the previous year’s
record; and
• record dairy sales, valued at $43.1 billion, up 7% year-to-year.
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Figure 14. U.S. Government Farm Support, Direct Outlays, 1997 to 2014F
$25
All Other
Ad Hoc and Emergency
Conservation
$20
Price Contingent
Direct Payments
$15
$10
$5
$0
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
2007
2009
2011
2013F

Source: USDA, ERS, “2014 Farm Income Forecast,” February 11, 2014.
Notes: Data are on a fiscal year basis and may not correspond exactly with the crop or calendar year; 2013 is
preliminary, 2014 is forecast. Direct payments include production flexibility contract payments enacted under the
1996 farm bill and fixed direct payments of the 2002 and 2008 farm bills; price-contingent outlays include loan
deficiency payments, marketing loan gains, counter-cyclical payments and ACRE payments; conservation outlays
include Conservation Reserve Program payments along with other conservation program outlays; Ad Hoc and
Emergency includes emergency supplemental crop and livestock disaster payments and market loss assistance
payments for relief of low commodity prices; and “Al Other” outlays include peanut quota buyout payments,
milk income loss payments, tobacco transition payments, and other miscellaneous expenditures.
Government Payment Highlights
Government farm payments are projected down sharply in 2014 at $6.1 billion (down 45%). This
would be the lowest outlay since before 1996. The decline is largely due to a combination of the
elimination of annual direct payments of about $5 billion and lower ad hoc disaster assistance
payments. In addition, relatively high commodity prices (above government program payment
triggers) are expected to keep payments under the price-contingent programs at minimal levels
(Figure 14).
• Government payments are expected to represent a relatively small share (1.5%)
of projected gross cash income of $412 billion (Figure 11).
• In contrast, government payments are expected to represent 6% of net farm
income of $95.8 billion; however, the importance of government payments as a
percent of net farm income varies nationally by sector and region.
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• Farm fixed direct payments, whose payment rates were fixed in previous
legislation, are eliminated by the 2014 farm bill.10
• Cotton producers are eligible to receive transition payments (new under the 2014
farm bill) for crop years 2014 and 2015 as they transition into coverage
authorized by the new Stacked Income Protection Plan (STAX).11 Fixed by
legislation, these cotton transition payments are forecast at $577 million in 2014.
• Payments under the price-contingent marketing loan benefit and the new Price
Loss Coverage (PLC) and Average Risk Coverage (ARC) programs (created by
the new 2014 farm bill) are expected to remain at $0 in 2014, as program crop
prices are expected to remain above program payment triggers (Table 7).
• Payments under the Average Crop Revenue (ACRE) program for 2013 that will
go out in 2014 are forecast at $190 million, mostly for corn and soybeans that
were hardest hit by drought.
• Although still available in 2014, no Milk Income Loss Contract payments—
which compensate dairy producers when domestic milk prices fall below a
specified benchmark price subject to feed-cost adjustments—are forecast due to
high milk prices and relatively low feed costs.
• Conservation programs include all conservation programs operated by USDA’s
Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS) that provide direct payments to producers. Estimated conservation
payments of $3.7 billion are forecast for 2014, unchanged from 2013.
• Supplemental and ad-hoc disaster assistance payments are forecast at $1 billion
in 2014, a 48% decrease from 2013 levels.12 Noninsured Assistance Program
payments of $150 million are expected to be made to livestock and specialty crop
producers for which no commodity insurance program is available. Livestock
producers are eligible to receive payments under the Livestock Forage Program
(LFP) and the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) retroactive to FY2012.
Payments under these two programs are expected to amount to a combined $810
million in 2014 and are for multiple years, mostly covering losses (feed
expenses) incurred during the 2012 drought.

10 For details see CRS Report R43076, The 2014 Farm Bill (P.L. 113-79): Summary and Side-by-Side.
11 Ibid.
12 CRS Report RS21212, Agricultural Disaster Assistance.
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Figure 15. Farm Cash Production Expenses by Source, 2007 to 2014F
$400
Over-
$300
head
Other
operating
costs
$200
Hired
Labor
Interest
Manu-
factured
inputs
$100
Farm
origin
inputs
$0
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013F
2014F

Source: USDA, ERS, “2014 Farm Income Forecast,” February 11, 2014.
Notes: 2013 is preliminary, 2014 is forecast. See Table 3 for details.
Production Expense Highlights
Production expenses for the U.S. agricultural sector are expected to drop for the first time since
2009 (Figure 15 and Table 3)—at $348 billion, they are projected down about 1% from 2013.
The principal reasons for the slowdown are lower feed costs (down 11% at $52 billion), fertilizer
costs (down 12% at $23 billion), and net rent to non-operator landlords (down 10% at $1.6
billion).
The increase in expenses will affect crop and livestock farms differently. The principal expenses
for livestock farms—that is, feed and feeder animals and poultry—in the net, are forecast down
6% from 2013 at $77.4 billion. In contrast, the principal crop expenses—that is, seed, fertilizer,
pesticides, and crop insurance premiums—are forecast down by about 2% to $98.7 billion.
The miscellaneous operating expenses category (Table 3), which is projected up $1.3 billion (3%)
to $40 billion, includes crop insurance premiums and thus directly impacts crop production.

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Figure 16. U.S. Agricultural Trade Since 1970
$150
Exports
$120
$90
$60
Imports
$30
Trade Surplus
$0
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010

Source: USDA, Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade, AES-81, February 20, 2014, ERS, USDA.
Notes: 2013 is an estimate, 2014 is a projection.
Agricultural Trade Outlook
A major catalyst behind projections for stronger farm income is the strength of U.S. agricultural
exports—forecast at a record $142.6 billion in 2014, up 1% from 2013’s previous record (Figure
16). U.S. agricultural imports also are projected record-large in 2014 at $110 billion, up 6% year-
to-year. The resulting U.S. agricultural trade surplus is projected at $32.6 billion in 2014, down
12%.
• The top three markets for U.S. agricultural exports are China, Canada, and
Mexico, where imports from the United States have surged by about $25 billion
since 2009 to a combined projection of $65.2 billion in FY2014 (Figure 17).
• A substantial portion of the increase in U.S. agricultural exports since 2010 has
also been due to higher-priced grain and feed shipments plus record oilseed
exports to China, and growing animal product exports to East Asia.13
• The fourth- and fifth-largest U.S. export markets are the EU and Japan, which are
projected to account for $23.6 billion in imports in FY2014. Although important
as major buyers of U.S. agricultural products, these two markets have shown
relatively limited growth when compared with the rest of the world.

13 USDA, ERS, Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade, AES-81, February 20, 2014, ERS, USDA.
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Figure 17. U.S. Agricultural Exports Have Surged Higher Since 2006 Driven by
China, NAFTA partners (Canada & Mexico), and Developing Countries
$150
China
$ Billion
$125
Mexico
$100
Canada
$75
$50
$25
Rest of World
EU
$0
Japan
1967
1977
1987
1997
2007

Source: USDA, Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade, AES-81, February 20, 2014, ERS, USDA.
• The “Rest of World” component of U.S. trade includes Middle Eastern, African,
and Southeast Asian markets that have also shown dramatic import growth of
U.S. agricultural products in recent years.
• Over the past four decades, steady growth in high-valued export products
(Figure 18) has helped to push U.S. agricultural export value to ever higher
totals. This pattern plateaued temporarily in 2006, when rapid growth in demand
from both international commodity markets and domestic biofuels pushed prices
for most bulk crops (especially feed grains and oilseeds) to record levels. As
grain and oilseed prices recede, so will the bulk value share of U.S. exports.
• Bulk commodity shipments (primarily wheat, rice, feed grains, soybeans, cotton,
and unmanufactured tobacco) are forecast at a record low 33% share of total U.S.
agricultural exports in 2014, at $46.8 billion.
• In contrast, high-valued export products—including horticultural, livestock,
poultry, and dairy—are forecast at $95.8 billion in 2014.
• As a share of total gross farm receipts, U.S. agricultural exports are projected to
account for 32% of earnings in 2014 (Figure 19).

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Figure 18. U.S. Agricultural Trade: Bulk vs. High-Value Shares
100%
80%
60%
High-Value
40%
20%
Bulk
0%1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010

Source: USDA, Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade, AES-81, February 20, 2014, ERS, USDA.
Figure 19. U.S. Agricultural Export Value as Share of Gross Cash Income
40%
U.S. Agricultural Exports
as Share of
Total Gross Farm Income
30%
20%
10%
0%1935
1945
1955
1965
1975
1985
1995
2005
2015
Source: USDA, Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade, AES-81, February 20, 2014, ERS, USDA.
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Figure 20. U.S. Average Farm Land Values, 1985 to 2013F

Source: USDA, NASS, Land Values 2013 Summary, August 2013.
Notes: 2013 is a forecast. Farm real estate value measures the value of al land and buildings on farms. Cropland
and pasture values are only available since 1998.
Figure 21. Real Estate Assets Comprise 82% of Total Farm Sector Assets in 2014
$3
$ Trillion
$2
All Other Assets
$1
Real Estate
$0
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010

Source: USDA, ERS, “2014 Farm Income Forecast,” February 11, 2014; 2014 is forecast.
Notes: Non-real estate assets include financial assets, inventories of agricultural products, and the value of
machinery and motor vehicles.
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Farm Asset Values and Debt
The U.S. farm income and asset-value situation and outlook suggest a strong financial position
heading into 2014 for the agriculture sector as a whole.
Measuring Farm Wealth
A useful measure of the farm sector’s financial wherewithal is farm sector net worth as measured by farm assets
minus farm debt. A summary statistic that captures this relationship is the debt-to-asset ratio.
Farm Assets include both physical and financial farm assets. Physical Assets include land and buildings, farm
equipment, on-farm inventories of crops and livestock, and other miscellaneous farm assets. Financial Assets
include cash, bank accounts, and investments such as stocks and bonds.
Farm Debt includes both business and consumer debt linked to real estate and non-real estate assets of the farm
sector.
The Debt-to-Asset Ratio compares the farm sector’s outstanding debt related to farm operations relative to the
value of the sector’s aggregate assets. Change in the debt-to-asset ratio is a critical barometer of the farm sector’s
financial performance with lower values indicating greater financial resiliency. A smaller debt-to-asset ratio suggests
that the sector is better able to withstand short-term increases in debt related to interest rate fluctuations or
changes in the revenue stream related to lower output prices, higher input prices, or production shortfalls.
The largest single component in a typical farmer’s investment portfolio is their farmland. As a result, real estate values
affect the financial well-being of agricultural producers and serve as the principal source of collateral for farm loans.
• Farm asset values—which reflect farm investors’ and lenders’ expectations about
long-term profitability of farm sector investments—are projected up 2.4% in
2014 to $3,001 billion, reflecting a continued strong outlook in the general farm
economy (Table 6).
• Higher farm asset values are due primarily to stronger farm real estate values
(Figure 20 and Figure 21). Real estate traditionally accounts for the bulk of total
value of farm sector assets.
• After rebounding from a 2.8% decline during 2009—the first decline since
1987—farm real estate values have grown by an estimated 38% through 2013,
due largely to strong crop prices. In 2014, real estate assets are expected to
account for 82% of total farm assets.
• This same pattern is reflected in both cropland and pastureland values (up 50%
and 12%, respectively, since 2009). Land value growth is closely linked to
commodity prices and is expected to plateau or recede slightly if the forecasts for
lower commodity prices and the prospect for continued global stock recovery for
grains and oilseeds are realized in 2014.
• Meanwhile, total farm debt is forecast to rise to $316.2 billion in 2014 (up 2.3%
year-to-year). As a result of the relatively higher gains by farm asset values than
farm debt, farm equity (or net worth, defined as asset value minus debt) is
projected record-high in 2014, at $2,685 billion.
• The farm debt-to-asset ratio had been steadily declining since 1985’s peak value
of 23%—except for a one-year reversal in 2008, to 10.5% in 2014 (Figure 22).
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U.S. Farm Income

Figure 22. U.S. Farm Debt-to-Asset Ratio Since 1960
25%
20%
15%
Farm Debt-to-Asset Ratio
10%
5%
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010

Source: USDA, ERS, “2014 Farm Income Forecast,” February 11, 2014; 2013 is preliminary, 2014 is forecast
Average Farm Household Income
Farm household wealth is derived from a variety of sources.14 A farm can have both an on-farm
and an off-farm component to its balance sheet of assets and debt. Thus, the well-being of farm
operator households is not equivalent to the financial performance of the farm sector or of farm
businesses because there are other stakeholders in farming, such as landlords and contractors, and
because farm operator households often have nonfarm investments, jobs, and other links to the
nonfarm economy.
On-Farm vs. Off-Farm Income Shares
• Average farm household income (the sum of both on- and off-farm income) is
projected up slightly (4%) in 2013 for a fourth consecutive year of growth at
$109,035 (Table 5).
• The share of farm income derived from off-farm sources had increased steadily
for decades but appears to have peaked at about 95% in 2002.

14 USDA, ERS, “Farm Household Well-being,” online webpage accessed on February 28, 2014, at
http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/farm-economy/farm-household-well-being.aspx.
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• In 2013, off-farm income sources are forecasted to account for about 82% of the
national average farm household income, compared with about 18% from
farming activities (Figure 23).
Figure 23. U.S. Average Farm Household Income, On- and Off-Farm Sources,
Since 1960
$100,000
$80,000
$60,000
$40,000
Off-Farm
$20,000
On-Farm
$0 1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010

Source: USDA, ERS, “Farm Household Economics and Well-Being: Historic Data On Farm Operator
Household Income,” November 26, 2013.
U.S. vs. Farm Household Income
• Over the past decade, farm household incomes have surged ahead of average
U.S. household incomes (Figure 24 and Figure 25).
• In 2012 (the last year for which comparable data were available), the average
farm household income of $108,844 was about 53% higher than the average U.S.
household income of $71,274 (Table 5).

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Figure 24. U.S. Farm Household Incomes Have Surged Well Above Average
Household Income Since 1996
Average Farm
$100,000
Household Income
$80,000
$60,000
Average U.S.
Household Income
$40,000
$20,000
$0
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010

Source: USDA, ERS, “2013 Farm Income Forecast,” November 26, 2013.
Note: 2012 is preliminary, 2013 is forecast.
Figure 25. U.S. Farm vs. Average Household Incomes Expressed as a Ratio
150%
125%
100%
75%
Ratio of Farm to U.S.
Average Household Income
50%
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010

Source: See above source note. 2012 is the last year with comparable data.
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Farm Household Income by Sales Class
The share of income from farming increases with farm size as measured by gross sales (Table 1).
• “Large” commercial farm households (farms with annual sales greater than
$250,000) obtained nearly 75% of household income on-farm and accounted for
82% of the value of total U.S. agricultural production in 2011, while representing
only about 10% of farm households.15
• Intermediate family farms (farms with annual sales in excess of $10,000 but less
than $250,000) obtained about 10% of household income from on-farm sources,
accounted for about 17% of the value of total U.S. agricultural production, and
represented about 30% of family farms.
• “Small” farm households (annual sales < $10,000) actually lost revenue from
farm operations (-9% of household income) and accounted for slightly more than
1% of the value of total U.S. agricultural production in 2011, while representing
59% of farm households. Many of these small farms are classified as rural
residence farms and either receive little or no income from farm sources or have
a total income level that qualifies them as limited-resource farms.
Table 1. Distribution of Farms and Value of Production by Gross Farm Sales, 2011
Total U.S.

Family Farms
Production
Total Household Income (Mean)
On-farm
Off-farm
Total
Value of Gross Sales
Number
Share
Share
Share
Share
Value
< $10,000
1,255,816
59%
1.2%
-9%
109% $70,507
$10,000 to $249,999
639,430
30%
16.5%
10%
90% $79,780
> $250,000
219,422
10%
82.3%
75%
25% $205,215
All
2,114,668
100%
100.0%
17%
83% $87,289
Source: USDA, ERS, Farm Income and Wealth Statistics; Farm Household Income and Characteristics, updated as
of November 27, 2012.


15 For more information on farm typology, see the ERS Briefing Room, Farm Household Well-Being, at
http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/farm-economy/farm-household-well-being.aspx.
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Table 2. U.S. Crop and Livestock Revenue by Source, 2008-2014F
($ billions)
Change
Item
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013a 2014a
(%)
Field crops
104.8
113.0
131.9
150.2
137.8
116.7
-15.3%
Food
grains
14.8 14.1 16.8 18.2 17.7 14.1 -20.4%
Wheat
11.7 11.1 13.9 15.3 14.7 11.0 -25.2%
Rice
3.0 3.0 2.9 2.8 2.9 3.0 3.4%
Feed
crops
50.5 54.8 72.0 79.1 71.2 60.2 -15.4%
Corn
42.5 47.2 62.9 69.2 60.0 49.0 -18.3%
Other
Grains
2.4 2.3 2.1 2.6 2.8 2.4
-14.3%
Hay
5.6 5.3 7.0 7.3 8.4 8.8 4.8%
Oil
Crops
35.6 36.5 35.6 44.3 43.6 36.5 -16.3%
Soybeans
33.7 34.5 33.3 40.7 40.8 34.5 -15.4%
Peanuts
0.8 0.9 1.2 2.3 1.5 1.0
-32.3%
Cotton (lint & seed)
4.0
7.6
7.4
8.6
5.3
5.9
11.3%
Other Crops
64.0
66.6
70.2
73.3
78.3
72.7
-7.1%
Fruits
and
nuts
19.3 21.7 24.4 26.1 26.3 23.1 -12.2%
Vegetables
20.4 20.2 20.7 20.6 25.3 22.9 -9.6%
Al
other
crops
24.3 24.6 25.0 26.6 28.5 28.6 0.4%
Total Crops
168.8
179.5
202.0
223.5
216.1
189.4
-12.3%
Meat animals
59.0
69.5
84.7
90.1
92.0
91.0
-1.1%
Cattle & calves
43.8
51.5
63.0
67.9
68.8
69.2
0.6%
Hogs
14.7
18.0
21.8
22.2
23.2
21.8
-6.0%
Sheep & lambs
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.0
Poultry and eggs
32.5
35.5
36.2
39.0
44.5
43.7
-1.7%
Broilers
21.8
23.7
23.0
24.8
29.6
29.3
-1.0%
Turkeys
3.6
4.4
5.0
5.4
4.9
5.0
2.0%
Eggs
6.1
6.5
7.3
7.8
8.7
8.2
-5.7%
All dairy
24.3
31.4
39.5
37.0
40.2
43.1
7.3%
Other livestock
4.5
5.1
5.5
5.4
5.5
5.5
1.1%
Total Livestock
120.3
141.4
165.9
171.6
182.2
183.4
0.7%
Government payments
12.2
12.4
10.4
10.6
11.2
6.1
-45.4%
Other farm incomeb
22.0
18.3
26.1
33.6
35.7
33.4
-6.4%
Total Farm Revenue
323.3
351.7
404.5
439.3
445.2
412.3
-7.4%
Source: “USDA, ERS, Farm Income and Wealth Statistics”; updated as of February 11, 2014.
a. Forecast. Change represents year-to-year projected change between 2014 and 2013.
b. Machine hire, custom work, forest products sales, insurance indemnities, and other farm income.
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Table 3. U.S. Farm Production Expenses by Source, 2008-2014F
($ billions)
Change
Item
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013a 2014a
(%)
Farm origin inputsb
77.3
81.4
94.2
102.9
103.8
99.0
-4.6%
Feed
45.0 45.4 54.6 59.1 58.7 52.1 -11.3%
Livestock
16.7 19.6 21.7 23.4 23.8 25.4 6.5%
Seed
15.5 16.3 17.8 20.3 21.3 21.6 1.5%
Manufactured inputsc
49.0
49.6
57.5
63.2
61.4
58.6
-4.6%
Fertilizer
&
lime
20.1 21.0 25.1 28.5 26.2 23.1 -12.0%
Fuels
&
oils
12.7 13.2 15.6 15.7 15.7 15.7 1.0%
Electricity
4.6 4.6 4.9 5.3 5.3 5.9 4.2%
Pesticides
11.5 10.7 11.8 13.7 14.0 14.0 -0.6%
Total interest charges
17.6
16.9
16.0
16.1
16.6
17.9
7.8%
Short-term
interest
7.5 6.8 5.9 6.0 6.6 6.9 5.4%
Real-estate
interest
10.1 10.0 10.2 10.1 10.1 11.0 9.3%
Other operating exp.d
88.8
84.9
88.3
97.2
105.9
109.2
3.1%
Repair
&
maintenance
14.7 14.8 15.5 16.6 17.3 17.5 1.1%
Hired & contract labor
28.9
26.8
26.2
30.5
33.6
35.1
4.5%
Custom
work
3.9 4.3 4.0 4.8 4.9 4.9 0.0%
Marketing,
storage,
etc. 10.3 10.3 10.2 10.1 11.3 11.6 3.0%
Miscel aneous
31.0 28.7 32.5 35.3 38.9 40.1 3.2%
Overhead expensese
50.3
54.1
55.9
61.2
64.1
63.1
-1.6%
Capital consumption
30.1
30.7
32.1
34.2
35.0
35.4
1.1%
Property taxes
10.4
10.8
11.3
11.5
11.9
12.1
2.3%
Non-operator net rent
9.8
12.6
12.5
15.5
17.2
15.6
-9.6%
Total Production Exp.
283.0
287.5
312.5
341.1
352.2
348.2
-1.1%
Source: USDA, ERS, Farm Income and Wealth Statistics; updated as of February 11, 2014; available at
http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/farm-income-and-wealth-statistics.aspx.
a. Forecast. Change represents year-to-year projected change between 2014 and 2013.
b. Farm origin inputs include purchases of feed, livestock and poultry, and seed.
c. Manufactured inputs include fertilizers and lime, pesticides, petroleum fuel and oils, and electricity.
d. Other operating costs include repair and maintenance of capital items, machine hire and custom work,
marketing storage, transportation expenses, and other miscellaneous expenses.
e. Overhead expenses include property taxes, net rent to a non-operator landlord, and capital consumption.

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Table 4. Annual U.S. Farm Income Since 2007
($ billions)
Item 2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013a 2014a Change
(%)
1. Cash receipts
288.5
316.3
289.1
321.0
367.9
395.1
398.3
372.8
-6.4%
Cropsb 150.1
174.8
168.9
179.5
202.0
223.5
216.1
189.4
-12.3%
Livestock 138.5
141.6
120.3
141.4
165.9
171.6
182.2
183.4
0.7%
2. Government paymentsc
11.9
12.2
12.2
12.4
10.4
10.6
11.2
6.1
-45.4%
Fixed direct paymentsd 5.1 5.1
4.7
4.8
4.7
4.7
4.4
0.6
-86.8%
CCPe 1.1
0.7
1.2
0.2
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0%
Marketing Loan Benefitsf 1.1 0.3
1.1
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0%
Conservation 3.1
3.2
2.8
3.5
3.7
3.7
3.7
3.7
-0.1%
Ad hoc and emergency
0.5
2.1
0.6
3.1
1.3
1.1
1.9
1.0
-47.6%
All otherg 1.0
0.8
1.7
0.7
0.7
1.1
0.9
0.6
-31.1%
3. Farm-related incomeh
17.6
21.5
22.0
18.3
26.1
33.6
35.07
33.4
-6.4%
4. Gross cash income (1+2+3)
318.0
350.1
323.3
351.7
404.5
439. 3
445.2
412.3
-7.4%
5. Cash expensesi 240.6

261.1
249.4
253.9
277.7
304.9
315.1
310.3
-1.5%
6. NET CASH INCOME
77.4
88.9
73.9
97.7
126.8
134.4
130.1
102.0
-21.6%
7. Total gross revenuesj 339.6
377.9
343.3
365.5
430.5
454.9
482.7
444.0
-8.0%
8. Total production expensesk 269.5
292.6
283.0
287.5
312.5
341.1
352.2
348.2
-1.1%
9. NET FARM INCOME
70.0
85.0
60.4
78.0
118.0
113.8
130.5
95.8
-26.6%
Source: USDA, ERS, Farm Income and Wealth Statistics; U.S. and State Farm Income and Wealth Statistics, updated as of February 11, 2014.
a. Data for 2013 and 2014 are USDA forecasts. Change represents year-to-year projected change between 2014 and 2013.
b. Includes Commodity Credit Corporation loans under the farm commodity support program.
c. Government payments reflect payments made directly to all recipients in the farm sector, including landlords. The non-operator landlords’ share is offset by its
inclusion in rental expenses paid to these landlords and thus is not reflected in net farm income or net cash income.
d. Direct payments include production flexibility payments of the 1996 Farm Act through 2001, and fixed direct payments under the 2002 Farm Act since 2002.
e. CCP = counter-cyclical payments.
f.
Includes loan deficiency payments (LDP); marketing loan gains (MLG); and commodity certificate exchange gains.
g. Peanut quota buyout, milk income loss payments, and other miscellaneous program payments.
h. Income from custom work, machine hire, agri-tourism, forest product sales, and other farm sources.
i.
Excludes depreciation and perquisites to hired labor.
j.
Gross cash income plus inventory adjustments, the value of home consumption, and the imputed rental value of operator dwellings.
k. Cash expenses plus depreciation and perquisites to hired labor.
CRS-27

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Table 5. Average Annual Income per U.S. Household, Farm versus All, 2006-2013F
($ per household)

2006 2007
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012F
2013F
Average U.S. Farm Income by Source








On-Farm
Income
$8,541 $11,364 $9,764 $6,866 $11,788 $14,625 $22,087 $19,826
Off-Farm
income
$72,502 $77,432
$70,032 $70,302 $72,671 $72,665 $86,757 $89,377
Total Farm income
$81,043
$88,796
$79,796
$77,169
$84,459
$87,290
$108,844
$109,203
Average U.S. Household Income
$66,570
$67,609
$68,424
$67,976
$67,530
$69,677
$71,274
na
Farm Household Income as Share of
122% 131%
117% 114% 125% 125% 153% na
U.S. Avg. Household Income (%)
Source: USDA, ERS, Farm Household Income and Characteristics, principal farm operator household finances, data set updated as of November 26, 2013; at
http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/farm-household-income-and-characteristics.aspx.
Note: Data for 2012 and 2013 are USDA forecasts.
Table 6. Average Annual Farm Sector Debt-to-Asset Ratio, 2006-2014F
($ billions)

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011F 2012 2013P 2014F
Farm
Assets
2,055.3 2,023.3 2,139.9 2,358.5 2,529.8 2,811.3 2,929.7 3,000.9
Farm
Debt
214.1 241.6 268.3 278.9 294.5 300.3 309.2 316.2
Farm
Equity
1,841.2 1,781.7 1,871.5 2,079.5 2,235.4 2,510.9 2,620.5 2,684.7
Debt-to-Asset Ratio (%)
10.4%
11.9%
12.5%
11.8%
11.6%
10.7%
10.6%
10.5%
Source: USDA, ERS, Farm Income and Wealth Statistics; U.S. and State Farm Income and Wealth Statistics, updated as of February 11, 2014; available at
http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/farm-income-and-wealth-statistics.aspx.
Note: Data for 2013 are preliminary, 2014 are USDA forecasts.
CRS-28

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Table 7. U.S. Prices and Support Rates for Selected Farm Commodities Since 2008/09 Marketing Year
%
%
2014
change
change
2014
Refer-
from
from
Loan
ence
Commoditya Unit Year 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14Fb 2012/13c 2014/15Pb 2013/14d Ratee
Price
Wheat
$/bu
Jun-May
6.78 4.87 5.70 7.24 7.77 6.65-6.95
-12.5% — — 2.94 5.50
Corn
$/bu
Sep-Aug
4.06 3.55 5.18 6.22 6.89 4.20-4.80
-34.7% — —
1.95 3.70
Sorghum $/bu
Sep-Aug
3.20 3.22 5.02 5.99 6.33 4.00-4.80
-32.9% — —
1.95 3.95
Barley
$/bu
Jun-May
5.37 4.66 3.86 5.35 6.43 5.85-6.25
-5.9% — —
1.85 4.95
Oats
$/bu
Jun-May
3.15 2.02 2.52 3.49 3.89 3.55-3.85
-4.9%
—
—
1.33 2.40
Rice
$/cwt
Aug-Jul 16.80 14.40 12.70 14.50 15.10
15.70-16.30 6.0%
—
—
6.50 14.00
Soybeans $/bu
Sep-Aug
9.97 9.59
11.30
12.50
14.40
11.95-13.45
-11.8%
—
—
5.00 8.40
Soybean
oil ¢/lb Oct-Sep
32.16 35.95 53.20 51.90 47.13 34.5-37.5 -23.6%
—
—
— —
Soybean
meal $/st Oct-Sep 331.2 311.27 345.52 393.53 468.11 425-465 -4.9%
—
—
— —
Cotton, Upland ¢/lb
Aug-Jul
47.8
62.9
81.50
88.3
72.5
74-78
4.8% — —
47 - 52
none
Choice
Steers
$/cwt
Jan-Dec 92.27 83.25 95.38 114.73 122.86 125.69 2.3% 132-140 8.2% — —
Barrows/Gilts
$/cwt
Jan-Dec 47.84 41.24 55.06 66.11 60.88 64.05 5.2% 61-65 -1.6% — —
Broilers ¢/lb
Jan-Dec
79.7
77.60
82.90
79.0
86.6 99.7
15.1% 94-101 -2.2% — —
Eggs
¢/doz
Jan-Dec 128.3 103.0 106.30 115.3 117.4 124.7 6.2% 114-122 -5.4% — —
Milk
$/cwt
Jan-Dec 18.29 12.83 16.26 20.14 18.53 20.01 8.0%
20.85-21.55
5.9%
— —
Source: Various USDA agency sources as described in the notes below.
a. Season average farm price for grains and oilseeds are from USDA, National Agricultural Statistical Service, Agricultural Prices. Calendar year data are for the first year,
for example, 2000/2001 = 2000; F = forecast and P = projection from World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) February 11, 2014;—= no value; and
USDA’s out-year 2014/2015 crop price forecasts will first appear in the May 2014 WASDE report. Soybean and livestock product prices are from USDA, Agricultural
Marketing Service (AMS): soybean oil—Decatur, IL, cash price, simple avg. crude; soybean meal—Decatur, IL, cash price, simple avg. 48% protein; choice steers—
Nebraska, direct 1100-1300 lbs.; barrows/gilts—national base, live equivalent 51%-52% lean; broilers—wholesale, 12-city avg.; eggs—Grade A, New York, volume
buyers; and milk—simple avg. of prices received by farmers for all milk.
b. Data for 2013/2014 are USDA forecasts; 2014/2015 data are USDA projections.
c. Percent change from 2011/2012, calculated using the difference from the midpoint of the range for 2012/2013 with the estimate for 2011/2012.
d. Percent change from 2012/2013, calculated using the difference from the midpoint of the range for 2013/2014 with the estimate for 2012/2013.
e. Loan rate and reference prices are for the 2014/2015 crop year. See CRS Report R43076, The 2014 Farm Bill (P.L. 113-79): Summary and Side-by-Side.
CRS-29

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U.S. Farm Income


Author Contact Information

Randy Schnepf

Specialist in Agricultural Policy
rschnepf@crs.loc.gov, 7-4277


Congressional Research Service
30

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