Myth Busting Farmer Demographics...
- By: "Farm Tender" News
- US & World News
- Mar 09, 2018
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By James Finlay - NeilClarke Services
To help celebrate International Women's Day, NeilClark Business Intelligence has unearthed interesting facts that may help re-frame thinking and perceptions relating to women in agriculture, and on-farm ageism.
Firstly, our detailed research shows that over the last decade (at least), female farmers and farm managers have been a better educated cohort compared to their male counterpart. This knowledge we believe disrupts perceptions about who is qualified (and perhaps entitled) to run the farm. As you can see in the chart below, the relative percentage of farmers and farm managers with a tertiary qualification, is higher for women. This is to say, although there are more men working in the industry, when it comes to qualifications, women are outsmarting the men.
The chart above tells us that there is also increased growth with more qualified women farmers and managers participating in the sector. These data begin to deliver key insights for those associated with farming sector, including input industries, about their current and future clients and who they might actually be...and what they need to do to engage them.
The chart above tells us that there is also increased growth with more qualified women farmers and managers participating in the sector. These data begin to deliver key insights for those associated with farming sector, including input industries, about their current and future clients and who they might actually be...and what they need to do to engage them."When selling and marketing to the industry, this information is critical for planning and decision making."
In a separate piece of research, NeilClark Business Intelligence also unearthed more truths about generational participation in the sector, and again could challenge perceptions...
We can see above that the Baby Boomers are ‘hanging on’. Baby Boomers declined by 20,000 people between 2006 & 2016, but this is in line with systems reduction because as a % of total farms, they are still the dominant force; from 46% of total farmers and farm managers in 2006, to 44% in 2016.
However there is another interesting data point...we identified that Gen X and Gen Y farmers and farm managers represent 42% of all farmers and farm managers.
It has long been the case that larger more successful farms have been an attractive option for 'the next generation' farmer. (Of particular appeal are those farms actively engaged in applying technological advancements- often being larger farms with an appetite to invest). When you consider that 75% of income from the sector is generated on large farms as well,* it is hardly surprising that the next generation farmer would show interest.
"Another attractive element for this cohort, is that generally larger farming operations allow for smoother succession plan transitions as well, so this too is another compelling reason for the next generation to 'go large'."
To understand these dynamics and many others relating to farmer demographics, NeilClark Business Intelligence can assist. For you, locating and targeting young, highly educated farmers and farm managers could make the all the difference to your business outcomes. Or perhaps you have another data set that needs ground truthing, you really should give us a call...
If you need to make intelligent and informed decisions, contact James Finlay via james.finlay@neilclark.com.au, or phone +61 3 5441 1244 or via LinkedIn. For more information on NeilClark services, visit www.neilclark.com.au.
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