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Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


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

Current Issue

September 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

Strategies to Optimize Market Returns in Ontario

Monday, September 15, 2025

Berkley Fedorchuk, grain marketing specialist with Hensall Co-op in Southwestern Ontario, recently shared insights into the current corn market and strategies for forward marketing during his presentation at the . With a focus on the Ontario and Eastern Canadian grain sectors,... Read this article online

Festival of Guest Nations returns to Leamington

Friday, September 12, 2025

On Sunday, September 14, 2025, Seacliff Park in Leamington, Ontario, will come alive with music, food, and celebration as the Festival of Guest Nations returns to honour the migrant worker communities who play a vital role in Essex County’s agricultural economy. With more than 20 years... Read this article online

York Region launching new Agri-Food Startup Program

Thursday, September 11, 2025

A new program in York Region is designed to help entrepreneurs find their footing in the food space. The 14-week hybrid Agri-Food Start-up Program partners entrepreneurs with local organizations like the Foodpreneur Lab, Syzl, York Region Food Network, and the Chippewas of Georgina Island... Read this article online

Corn and Soybean Diseases Spread This Season

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

As reported on the OMAFRA website fieldcropnews.com, as well as in previous articles by Farms.com, the 2025 growing season is nearing its end with corn and soybean farmers in Ontario and the U.S. Corn Belt facing disease challenges that reflect changing weather conditions. For corn, two... Read this article online

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