Date of Graduation
Fall 2021
Degree
Master of Science in Agriculture
Department
College of Agriculture
Committee Chair
Arbindra Rimal
Abstract
The next generation of farmers takes an important role in the food production for subsequent years. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s (2017) estimation that 70% increase of production will need to be achieved within the next 30 years set awareness across the globe. Researchers have been studying and trying to find means to aid beginning farmers in a variety of ways. This study measures farm decisions that affect financial performance of farmers aiming to facilitate beginning producers’ decision making. Three regressions were used to analyze how different variables affect farmers’ profitability and repayment capacity. Using a county-level data for the state of Missouri significant results were found. Counties with less diversified farms show a lower financial performance. On the other hand, counties with more operations taking advantage of crop insurance present a better repayment capacity. Altogether, the findings in this study provide significant thoughts for future research and potential ways to help beginning farmers and ranchers to succeed.
Keywords
beginning farmers and ranchers, financial ratios, profitability, repayment capacity, business decisions, county-level data, Missouri
Subject Categories
Agricultural Economics
Copyright
© Lucas Paloschi
Recommended Citation
Paloschi, Lucas, "An Exploration of the Role of Farm Business Decisions in Addressing Financial Challenges for Missouri's Beginning Farmers" (2021). MSU Graduate Theses. 3696.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/3696
