Farmer productivity by age was estimated, allowing for differences because of efficiency and returns to scale. Using Census of Agriculture data, estimates vary by state, but returns to scale average 1.07. Efficiency increases average 4.5 percent every ten years of age, to the age interval 35 to...

Each state's agricultural production diversification is measured for 1984 and 1988. Very little difference existed between the type of index used or the year computed. Linear regressions of the coefficient of variation of receipts on diversification measures implies diversification among states...