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Federal Reserve Barth .of Chicago - -

•

July 11, 1969

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ON FARMS continues to
decline. Between 1960 and 1967 the farm population fell 30
percent, according to the latest Census report. About 10.9
million people lived on farms in 1967, or about 5.5 percent of
the total U. S. population. In 1960, the farm population accounted for 8.7 percent of the total.
The further decline in farm population reflects the continuation of forces long present in this country, and in most
other countries that are advancing economically. As it becomes possible for a smaller work force to produce the nation's agricultural commodities, living standards can be raised
by shifting workers into non-agricultural activities. The market forces cause earnings of workers in agriculture to be lower
than earnings in the non-farm sector and this encourages farm
people to seek non-farm employment, and often to migrate to
urban centers. The young, just beginning their working careers, are especially sensitive to such alternatives. Indeed,
most of the decline in farm population has resulted from
young persons raised on farms not joining the agricultural
labor force, rather than from farm workers leaving agriculture
for other types of employment. :This is reflected in the
changing age structure of the farm population.

•

Farm Population Growing Older
Percent of total
Age

0

5

10
I

15
I

under

14 years

30 35
20
25
III
i
1967

111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111asai

1960

14-24 yrs. 111111111111111111111111
25-34 yrs.

111111111111

35-44 yrs.- iii111111111111111
45-64 yrs.

culimummilmarloi

65 years
and over

1111111111

Traditionally, the farm population has included a high
proportion of young people. But in 1967 only about 28 percent of persons living on farms were under 14 years of age.
In 1960, this age group made up 32 percent of the farm population. In the same time, persons 45 years and over increased
from 30 percent of farm population in 1960 to 35 percent in
1967.
It is noteworthy that about 83 percent of the farm labor
force consists of Self-employed persons (farm operators) and
unpaid members of their families. These people are less mobile
than are wage and salary workers or young people who are
seeking their first full-time job. For the farm operators, a
move to full-time non-farm employment may require liquidation of the farm business.

ric
CUL-17-2;1i E717.1:1 7.7)..15:i.11.3

Cr
Number 1021
A rising level of unemployment also influences the rate
of off-farm migration. In periods of relatively full-employment, such as has been the case almost continuously since the
beginning of World War II, there are more off-farm job opportunities and less risk in moving from the farm. A study
conducted during 1957-63, a period-which included two mild
recessions, found that 10 workers left farming for each 9 persons that entered the farm labor force. A large number of
those entering farming had previous farm work experience and
were from the poorer and most remote rural economic areas.
Even with the decline in farm population, there still is
a large number of low-income farmers. This suggests that the
movement of labor out of agriculture is dependent on factors
in addition to economic incentives. Among established farmers, age appears to be of overriding importance in determining
the mobility of the operator. Older farmers appear less concerned with economic goals and more likely to have a definite
preference for farming over other employment regardless of
the possibility of higher earnings in nonfarm jobs.
Mobility is influenced also by experience in off-farm
jobs. For many farmers, part-time, off-farm employment apparently leads them to. seek full-time nonfarm employment
and discontinue their part-time farming. The transfer is easier
if there are adequate local job opportunities. A study by
Hathaway and Perkins found that two-thirds of the farmers
who shifted to-non-farm jobs found such jobs within 50 miles
of their farm and typically did not change residence. These,
of course, would continue to be reported in the farm population so long as they lived on a farm.
The decline in farm population will continue. The forces
that have caused the decline since World War II show no sign
of waning. Improvements in farm technology, as reflected in
the rapid gains in output per man hour, will likely come even
faster in the future. Use of capital inputs such as fertilizer, machinery and equipment will likely be increased even faster as
prices of labor and land rise further. Studies based on various
assumptions concerning future demand for farm products suggest that by 1980 the amount of labor needed in agricultv re
will be at least 30 percent less than that used in 1968. The
farm population, by then, could decline to about 7.5 million
and would comprise only about 3 percent of the total population.
Dennis B. Sharpe
. Agricultural Economist

FARM BUSINESS CONDITIONS

1969
ITEMS

,

May

PRICES:
Received by farmers (1957-59=100)
Paid by farmers 0957-59=100)..........
. Parity price ratio (191044=100).....-•.. ....... ..
Wholesale, all commodities (1957-59=100) ........
Paid by consumers (1957-59=100)....... ........
,
Wheat, No. 2 red winter, Chicago (dol. per bu.)
Corn, No. 2 yellow, Chicago (dol. per bu.)........
Oats, No. 2 white, Chicago'(dol. per bu.). ........
Soybeans, No. 1 yellow, Chicago (dol. per bu.).....
,
Hogs, barrows and gilts, Chicago (dol. per cwt.)..
Beef steers, choice grade, Chicago (dol. per cwt.)...
'Milk, wholesale, U. S. (dol. per cwt.) ............
Butterfat, local markets, LY. S. (dol. per lb.).......
Chickens, local markets, U. S.•(doi.-per lb.). ......
Eggs, local markets, U. S. (dol. per doz.). ......
• Milk cows, U. S. (dol. per head)...............
Farm labor, U. S. (dol. per week without board)
Factory labor, U. S. (dol, earned per week) ...

1968
April

117
128

May

112
127

108
121

75

73

73

112.8

111.9

126.8

126.4

1.33
1.32

- 1.32
1.24 .

108.5
120.3
1.38

.68

.68

2.72
23.61

2.69

.

.69
.14
.30
299

2.711
19.10
27.16
5.02

20.84

33'85
5.16

30.98
5.23

.69
.14
.37

-129.34

.67
.14
.27
272

295

•

1.19
.81

70.00
• 127.58 •

-122.29

171.5
94.0 •

164.1

678.2

PRODUCTION.:
Industrial, physical volume (1957-59=100) ........
Farm marketings, physical volume (1957-59=100)....

172.8.
100.0

INCOME PAYMENTS:
.
Total personal income, U. S. (annual rate,'bil. of dol.).
Cash farm income, U. S.1 (annual rate, bil. of dol.) ..

735.0P
. 52.0

731.2

47.4

45.o •

3.9
73.4

3.6
73.5

71.9

EMPLOYMENT:
Farm (millions) ....................
. Nonagricultural (millions).................
FINANCIAL (District member banks):
Demand deposits: •
Agricultural banks (1957-59=100) ............
Nonagricultural banks (1957-59=100),.......•..
Time deposits:
Agricultural banks (1957-59=100).............
Nonagricultural banks (1957-59=100)
1

Based on estimated monthly income.

.

98.00

4.o

.
133.1
.131.4
329.5
319..8

.

133.2
135.9

124.9
123.9

326.4
321.5

292.1
305.4

.
PPreliminary.

Excludes Government Payments.

Compiled from official sources by the Research Department, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

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