Ranching and farming dying out in high plains, USA Monday, April 6, 2015 A heavily researched demographic study, published in the journal Rangeland, predicts there will be no ranchers and farmers under the age of 35 in the state of Wyoming by 2033.Published by the Society For Range Management, the article could not be more pessimistic about the future of agriculture in the High Plains of the Western United States.A county by county examination of demographic trends from nearly 100 years of census information shows there's often no one for aging operators to pass the farm to. Currently, more than half of farm operators are older than 55; fewer and fewer people 34 years of age and younger are attracted to the business.The study can be read online at: www.srmjournals.org/doi/full/10.2111/Rangelands-D-14-00035.1"The relative proportions of younger operators are dwindling rapidly . . . We face a fundamental challenge in inspiring young agriculturalists to take up residence in the state to help replace those of retirement age."The "prohibitive" cost of generational land transfer is cited as one reason to sell out rather than pass on. In the United States, "in the United States, farmers with a new inheritance often owe more in taxes than they have in liquid assets." Corporatization would still allow for farming, but the writers note that 24 million acres of farmland in the United States has been "urbanized" between 1982 to 2010: an astounding 1.64 acres per minute. Sounds a bit like Ontario? BF Ag Canada teams up with NASA Swede midges 'last straw' for northern canola growers
Mother’s Day Q&A with Anna McCutcheon Thursday, May 8, 2025 Mother’s Day is only a few days away (that’s another reminder), and this week Farms.com has connected with moms in ag for their thoughts on motherhood, its challenges, and how being a parent has changed them. Anna McCutcheon (AM) and her husband Mark are the first generation on their... Read this article online
Looking for the Perfect Mother’s Day Gift for Women who work in Agriculture? Thursday, May 8, 2025 Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to show appreciation for the incredible women in agriculture than by supporting products and services created by women in agriculture? Whether she’s managing livestock, growing crops, running a farm-based business—or all of... Read this article online
Creating Safe Farms for Kids Wednesday, May 7, 2025 The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) is hosting the second annual Kids FarmSafe Week from May 12 to 18, with the theme “Nurturing the Future of Agriculture.” The initiative aims to raise awareness about health and safety risks for children and youth on farms. According... Read this article online
Encouraging Consumers to spend 1 Percent More at Farmers Markets Could Make a Big Difference Wednesday, May 7, 2025 A recent study led by University of Northern British Columbia professor David Connell reveals that farmers’ markets, while growing in popularity, still make up only a small share of household food spending. The research was conducted across 70 markets in British Columbia and involved... Read this article online
2025 Election Results Prompt Concern and Reflection Among Prairie Farmers Tuesday, May 6, 2025 Users on Agriville.com weigh-in on the 2025 federal election outcome As news broke that Mark Carney’s Liberals had won the 2025 federal election, many western Canadian farmers on Agriville.com shared their reactions. The mood was largely one of disappointment, with concerns about the... Read this article online