Finding and securing adequate land to grow crops and raise animals was once again the top challenge identified in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) annual outlook survey of participants in the Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) program, reports Southwest Farm Press.
Other issues ranked as top concerns of young farmers and ranchers include government regulations; the willingness of parents to turn over the reins; overall profitability; taxes; the availability of water; urbanization and the availability of agriculture financing.
The survey also shows America’s young farmers and ranchers continue to be committed environmental caretakers, with 58 percent analyzing the nutrient content of soil and 56 percent using conservation tillage to protect soil and reduce erosion on their farms.
AFBF President Bob Stallman said the results of the YF&R survey show young farmers are optimistic and U.S. agriculture is in very capable hands.