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  Risk Management Practices on U.S. Farms and Ranches, 1996–2020

  This report summarizes the utilization of agricultural risk management strategies by U.S. farms between 1996 and 2020, using data from the Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS). The risk management strategies considered in this report fall into four categories: (1) onfarm strategies, such as income and production diversification, and storage; (2) market based tools, including Federal Crop Insurance, marketing and production contracts; (3) other Government programs for managing risk, including countercyclical-type programs and disaster programs; and (4) strategies to manage longer term strategic risk, including investments in farm improvements and succession planning. Results show that although some broad trends in risk management strategy utilization over the past few decades can be identified, these overall dynamics are often associated with factors related to farm size or commodity specialization. Among all farms for the classes of strategies examined, results indicate that holding savings, engaging in off-farm employment, and purchasing insurance other than Federal Crop Insurance (such as private single-peril policies, liability insurance, or property insurance) are the most frequently used strategies.

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  Beginning Farmer and Rancher Operations: Characteristics Associated With Business Survival

  Information from the 2017 Census of Agriculture is used to describe the characteristics of farms and ranches with beginning farmers and ranchers (BFRs), operators having no more than 10 years of farming experience. The report presents data for farms where all operators are BFRs; at least one, but not all operators are BFRs; and those operations with no BFRs. For each type of operation, the report compares the characteristics of business operations that survived from 2007 to 2017 to those that did not. The analysis identifies which farm and operator characteristics were correlated with farm business survival over this 10-year period. Results suggest that land tenure arrangements, the use of differentiated markets, crop insurance, and government payments are important correlates with business survival for farms operated by beginning farmers and ranchers.

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  Status and Trends of USDA Conservation Programs, 2002–2025

  This report provides a broad overview of major U.S. Department of Agriculture conservation programs that assist agricultural producers improve soil health, wildlife habitat, and water and air quality. We focus on Farm Bill conservation programs over the past four Farm Bills (2002, 2008, 2014, and 2018). Additionally, the report provides historical context regarding how these programs have been implemented under the 2018 Farm Bill.

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  Documentation for the Agri-Food Economic Data System (Ag-FEDS): Multiplier Model Applications

  USDA’s Economic Research Service developed the Agri-food Economic Data System (Ag-FEDS), which is the underlying data source for two food-system specific multiplier models, which provide greater detail and insights into the U.S. food economy than previously available.

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  A More Detailed Food Dollar: Enhanced Accounting of U.S. Food Costs

  The USDA, Economic Research Service’s Food Dollar measures the costs, along the supply chain, of producing and marketing food to consumers. These measures include the farm share of the food dollar. This report highlights updates to the Food Dollar and the impact of these changes on estimated shares.

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  Persistence of Cover Crop Use in Crop Production in the United States, 2012–2022

  This report examines the persistence of cover crop use through four distinct data sources that measure use in different ways. The results show that cover crop use has increased over time, but this overall increase masks a significant share of fields reducing or disadopting cover crop use.

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  Characterizing Foreign Investment in U.S. Agricultural Land, 2022

  This report provides a comparison of foreign-owned and foreign-leased U.S. agricultural land held in 2022 using data collected as part of the mandatory reporting requirements set forth in the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (AFIDA). Foreign-held, long-term leases (i.e., 10-year-or-more) account for roughly one-third of the foreign-held U.S. agricultural land as of December 31, 2022, up from roughly 20 percent in 2017. This report also identifies important differences between foreign-owned and foreign-leased agricultural land in the United States, in terms of its use, location, size, and other characteristics. A much greater share (85 percent versus 2 percent) of foreign-leased agricultural land is associated with renewable energy development than foreign-owned land. A much smaller share of foreign leases (less than 10 percent) results in a change in the agricultural producer (operator) when compared with foreign purchases of agricultural land. The research in this report shows that foreign leases of agricultural land are more likely to result in the dual use (i.e., agriculture and renewable energy) of such lands that provide owner-operators with an additional stream of income without significantly impacting the existing agricultural situation.

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  Webinar: America's Farms and Ranches at a Glance: 2025 Edition

  In this webinar, ERS Economist Katherine Lacy presents findings from America's Farms and Ranches at a Glance: 2025 Edition.

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  America's Farms and Ranches at a Glance: 2025 Edition

  America's Farms and Ranches at a Glance: 2025 Edition

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  Webinar: Farm Income and Financial Forecasts, February 2026 Update

  During this webinar, ERS Economist Carrie Litkowski will present the first farm sector income and wealth forecasts for calendar year 2026.