Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
For Steve's farming operation harvesting costs are relatively small, costing in total
equipment, fuel, and the like about 10 percent of the total cost of production. Harvesting
of barley is shown in Figure 1.43. For the hog operation Steve is paid a set price that
provides him with a steady income of $48,000 per year.
1.3.10 The Family
Much of Steve Murphy's family, live, in and around Clinton County. However, only
Steve, his wife, sons, and a brother run the farm. Steve's immediate family consists of
Steve, his wife, Patti, and two sons. Steve's wife stays at home coordinating transpor-
tation and takes care of the house and their son, William. William, called Willy, the
younger son, is in high school, plays football, and works on the farm. Nicholas, called
Nick, has just graduated from college and is in line to take over the farming
operations. The men are involved in the field work and animal farming operations
along with Steve's brother, Milton. He does not live on the farm but has a
home near by. Farm-work is not divided in any specific way between the men,
they just do the work that needs to be done when it needs to be done. All
members know how to do all jobs and so any person may be doing any job at any
time. A cousin lives across the road from the farmhouse but is not involved in the
farming operations.
1.3.11 The Future
When asked about the future, Steve's response is that he will retire and turn the farming
operation over to his sons. He expects that he will still help in various farming oper-
ations as needed but will not be directly running the operation. He sees the farming
operation going along in the same way it has. He does not see expansion of any
aspects of the operation, that is, he does not see that they will increase hectares
farmed, number or types of crops raised, or the number of hogs and cattle raised.
1.4
CONCLUSION: A CONCISE COMPARISON
Table 1.1 gives a comparison of a few facts and figures of the selected farmers. At first
glance we can see some marked differences in the net worth of each farm and their edu-
cation. The single factor of land ownership is associated with a greater investment in
equipment and buildings. The farmer in the Philippines, Donio, owns no land and
obviously cannot construct valuable buildings on another person's land. The fact of
land ownership also changes the farmer's plans for the future. Octavio, in Ecuador,
and Steve, in the United States, both are making ambitious plans for the future.
Donio only seeks to continue his status quo. One of Steve's sons has graduated from
college and he expects the second to do the same. He plans for them to take over the
daily farmwork so that he can retire. Octavio is looking forward to building up his
animal operation so the income will permit him to leave his guard job and devote
full time to the farm and family. Donio has no such hopes.
