Economist Challenges Idea Of Aging Farmer Crisis

Agriculture economists have long warned that farmers are getting old and staying on their land longer, delaying the turnover to a younger generation. But an Ohio State University professor argues that those fears are overstated and the United States likely will have little problem replacing aging farmers as long as business is good, as it has been for the past decade.

Others aren't so sure, saying while they agree with OSU agriculture economist Carl Zulauf's assessment that concerns about the unquestionably aging farmer population remain valid and create uncertainty about who will produce the nation's crops in the future.

"I think what he said is absolutely right," Iowa State University economics professor Mike Duffy said. "I think the conclusion he's drawing though is not necessarily the correct one."
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