What is the biggest expense on the farm?

Asked by: Margarette Swaniawski  |  Last update: March 16, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (25 votes)

The cost of feed, which is the largest expense for farmers and ranchers, is expected to fall 13% to $69.5 billion over the year prior. While lower costs may benefit farmers, profit margins remain tight.

What is the biggest cost in farming?

Feed, at $80 billion, was the largest expense item, accounting for 16.6% of farm expenditures. Livestock/poultry/related expenses (up $10.7 billion), labor (up $6.4 billion), as well as farm services (up $5.3 billion), were the three categories with the largest increases between 2022 and 2023.

What do farmers spend most of their money on?

Fertilizer and rent are most likely the two largest costs for all grain farms.

What is the most profitable thing on a farm?

Top 10 Most Profitable Small Farm Crops
  1. Gourmet Mushrooms (Oyster and Shiitake) ...
  2. Microgreens. ...
  3. Heirloom Tomatoes. ...
  4. Garlic. ...
  5. Specialty Herbs (Basil, Mint, Cilantro) ...
  6. Strawberries. ...
  7. Ginseng. ...
  8. Lavender.

What is the greatest asset of a farmer?

Soil is any farmer's greatest asset and the soil's natural biology is there waiting to help, so you just need to create the right conditions to allow it to kick in,” says Jeff Claydon, farmer and CEO at Claydon. Claydon drill's leading tine is a great way how to improve soil, it is adjustable from 0mm to 150mm deep.

How Much Money Do Farmers Make?

32 related questions found

What is the largest expense for a farmer?

The cost of feed, which is the largest expense for farmers and ranchers, is expected to fall 13% to $69.5 billion over the year prior. While lower costs may benefit farmers, profit margins remain tight.

Are farmers typically wealthy?

Median total household income among all farm households ($97,984) exceeded the median total household income for all U.S. households ($80,610) in 2023. Median household income and income from farming increased with farm size and most households earned some income from off-farm employment.

Where do farmers make the most money?

  1. Specialty vegetable farming. Grow niche or exotic vegetables that command higher prices from consumers and supermarkets. ...
  2. Organic crop production. ...
  3. Herb gardening. ...
  4. Beekeeping and honey production. ...
  5. Aquaculture. ...
  6. Agrotourism. ...
  7. Livestock breeding. ...
  8. Mushroom farming.

What is the best cash crop per acre?

Cash Crops and More: Most Profitable Farming Per Acre
  • Saffron. ...
  • Hops. ...
  • Garlic. ...
  • Bamboo. ...
  • Lavender. ...
  • Mushrooms. ...
  • Conventional Cash Crops. ...
  • The Most Profitable Farming Per Acre. It's not always easy to decide what to grow.

Which farm is best for income?

Here are the top 10 most profitable farming ventures in the country.
  • Poultry Farming. ...
  • Goat Farming. ...
  • Beekeeping. ...
  • Mushroom Farming. ...
  • Aquaculture and Hydroponics. ...
  • Medicinal Plants Farming. ...
  • Floriculture. ...
  • Saffron Farming. Saffron, the world's most expensive spice, is primarily grown in the Kashmir Valley.

Can a farmer pay himself?

Tax Purposes: Depending on the organizational structure of the business, farmers and business owners can reduce their tax liability in some cases by paying themselves. Farmers and business owners should consult their CPAs or tax advisors to see if this would be beneficial to them and how best to do it.

What livestock makes the most money?

Cattle are among the most profitable livestock for small farms because they are easy to raise and offer multiple income opportunities. While large-scale cattle farms — which can create sustainability concerns — raise cows primarily for meat, small farms can capitalize on various products to increase their bottom line.

Do most farms lose money?

“Higher borrowing costs, tighter credit conditions and negative farm income are having a negative impact on the purchases of farm equipment,” Goss said. Across the region, bankers expect approximately 39.1% of farmers to experience negative 2024 farm income.

What is the most expensive farm crop?

Saffron is one of the most profitable farming crops in India. It is a high-value agri-business idea that involves the cultivation of saffron flowers for spice production. It requires specific climatic conditions and well-drained soil limiting it to suitable regions.

How much is an acre of corn worth?

Again, $5.00 corn and $12.30 soybean prices are used for 2023 projections. Yields are set at trend: 227 bushels per acre for corn and 72 bushels per acre for soybeans. Crop revenue then is $1,135 per acre for corn and $866 per acre for soybeans.

What is the most profitable thing to farm?

Saffron: The Most Profitable Crop per Acre

Dubbed "red gold", saffron's high market value makes it arguably the most profitable agricultural crop. Though it requires careful cultivation, the potential profits per acre are unmatched, highlighting its viability for small farms looking to maximize their earnings.

Is 10 acres good for farming?

With an adequate water supply, ten acres is suitable to raise poultry for meat or eggs, as well as small ruminants (goats and sheep). A handful of beef cattle might also be possible.

What is the easiest farm to start?

Set yourself up for success with these 10 crops considered among the easiest to grow for new farmers.
  • Lettuce. There are many lettuce varieties to choose from. ...
  • Spinach. A favorite of those in cooler climates, spinach is surprisingly easy to grow. ...
  • Tomatoes. ...
  • Basil. ...
  • Kale. ...
  • Carrots. ...
  • Beets. ...
  • Squash.

Can farmers make 100K a year?

Not every farmer operates this way, but it's pretty common. If a business is successful it's not hard to find farmers taking 60-100K out per year. If it struggles, you get out or tighten your belt.

What is the cheapest farm animal to raise?

Chickens

Poultry doesn't require much space and are inexpensive to feed, which can make them a perfect animal to raise on a small hobby farm. In fact, they'll eat just about anything, including compost and weeds. In addition, chickens are multipurpose animals that provide eggs, meat and fertilizer.

Why are farmers so rich?

Farm Household Wealth and Income

Farm operator households have more wealth than the average U.S. household because significant capital assets, such as farmland and equipment, are generally necessary to operate a successful farm business. In 2023, the median U.S. farm household had $1,439,138 in wealth.

Who is the richest farmer in the United States?

Stewart Allen Resnick (born December 24, 1936) is an American billionaire businessman. Resnick is the wealthiest farmer in the United States with a net worth exceeding eight billion dollars as of 2022.

Why is farming declining?

Rapidly falling farm numbers during the earlier period reflected growing productivity in agriculture and increased nonfarm employment opportunities. Since 1982, the number of U.S. farms has continued to decline, but much more slowly.

What percentage of the US population has $2 million dollars?

About 1 percent of the US population have net worth of $2 million or more. There is a US class distinction that most ordinary US citizens rate you in the “rich” or “high class” category if you have $1.7 million.