Plowing up profits Farm segment surged in 2011, but expected to slow through '14

摘要

Growth in the North American farming segment surged to record levels in 2011, with both net farm income and net cash income expected to exceed $100 billion for the first time in history, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) most recent ag industry forecast. Early predictions from the USDA show net farm income to have reached $100.9 billion last year, a 28-percent increase from roughly $88 billion in 2010. Meanwhile, net cash income is forecast to grow 18.9 percent to $109.8 billion. That's up $17.5 billion from 2010 figures and $34.2 billion more than the 10-year average of $75.6 billion.