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Briefing Rooms

Farm Income and Costs: Glossary

Returns to Operators

Returns to operators, as with net farm income, is a measure of the earnings of farm operators (defined as those individuals who share in the risks of production and materially participate in the operation of the business) from production of commodities and farm business activities.

What is the difference between returns to operators and net farm income?

Returns to operators differs from net farm income only in the exclusion of income and expenses associated with farm operators' dwellings. The difference in value between returns to operators and net farm income is equal to the net imputed rental value of farm operator residences. Net farm income is a farm sector income measure and returns to operators is a farm business income measure.

How is returns to operators utilized?

Returns to operators is used in determining the financial ratios involving income to components of the farm balance sheet because the balance sheet does not include farm operators residencies.

 

For more information, contact: Roger Strickland

Web administration: webadmin@ers.usda.gov

Updated date: August 28, 2003