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Complexity and Obsolete Data Concepts: Canadian Farm Policy, and the Changing Structure of Agriculture

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  • Freshwater, David

Abstract

Agricultural data systems remain based upon now obsolete concepts. In particular, the "full-time, family farm" is still organizing concepts for much of the farm data system, and for agricultural policies. Yet farming has clearly bifurcated into: a relatively small number of large farms that produce the majority of the food and fiber; and a large number of small part-time farms that depend mainly on off-farm income for household well-being. Both types are family farms, but they are not the family farms of the past. It is broadly recognized that large farms pose complex challenges for data collection and policy. But small farms are also complex. While small farms may not account for much production they are important for land use issues and for maintaining political support for farm policy. As agricultural policy evolves beyond support commodities it is important to have a better understanding of the heterogeneity of agriculture. This will require more attention to how we define farming, farmers and the objectives of policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Freshwater, David, 2012. "Complexity and Obsolete Data Concepts: Canadian Farm Policy, and the Changing Structure of Agriculture," Staff Papers 119473, University of Kentucky, Department of Agricultural Economics.
  • Handle: RePEc:ags:ukysps:119473
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.119473
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kroszner,Randall S. & Putterman,Louis (ed.), 2009. "The Economic Nature of the Firm," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521141772, January.
    2. Bonnen, James T., 1977. "Assessment of the Current Agricultural Data Base: An Information System Approach," A Survey of Agricultural Economics Literature, Volume 2: Quantitative Methods in Agricultural Economics, 1940s to 1970s,, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    3. Freshwater, David & Jette-Nantel, Simon, 2011. "Risk Management and the Role of Off-farm Income," Staff Papers 120184, University of Kentucky, Department of Agricultural Economics.
    4. Freshwater, David, 2007. "Measuring Farm Net Income To Better Achieve Policy Objectives," Staff Papers 42315, University of Kentucky, Department of Agricultural Economics.
    5. Kroszner,Randall S. & Putterman,Louis (ed.), 2009. "The Economic Nature of the Firm," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521193948, January.
    6. Peter J. Barry & Sonka Steven T. & Kaouthar Lajili, 1992. "Vertical Coordination, Financial Structure, and the Changing Theory of the Firm," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 74(5), pages 1219-1225.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kenneth Poon & Alfons Weersink, 2014. "Growing Forward with Agricultural Policy: Strengths and Weaknesses of Canada's Agricultural Data Sets," Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics/Revue canadienne d'agroeconomie, Canadian Agricultural Economics Society/Societe canadienne d'agroeconomie, vol. 62(2), pages 191-218, June.
    2. Poon, Kenneth, 2013. "Risky Business: Factors Affecting Participation Rate of AgriStability," 2013 Annual Meeting, August 4-6, 2013, Washington, D.C. 150978, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

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    Keywords

    Agricultural and Food Policy; Farm Management; Risk and Uncertainty;
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