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...

Both farmland values and rental rates have seen significant increases over the past few crop years. The increase in land values, in particular, has members of the agricultural and outside investment communities concerned over the potential for a significant decline in land values and the...