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Alternatively, it could create incentives to develop and use existing property for higher productivity applications.

mc32 7y ago
I see it being regressive and encouraging small farmers to sell out to large operators who can more economically scale production.
- croon 7y ago
  They already compete under the same parameters before, so this should be unchanged.
  - mc32 7y ago
    Not if the pressures pushes industry toward “higher productivity applications” as outlined by patent commenter.
    - croon 7y ago
      Small farmers don't want higher productivity already?
      - mc32 7y ago
        How? They can’t leverage the same markets they can’t leverage economies of scale, etc. A conglomerate can find new markets when another one dries up. A grocery store closes, it’s not easy for s local farmer suddenly find a new buyer, for example.
        croon 7y ago
        I understand that. What I'm pointing out is that the small farmer already needs to cover all expenses through their sales price, which already is competing with conglomerates capable of much higher economies of scale. An expense increase for both parties won't affect the dynamic already in place.
      - naravara 7y ago
        You'd be surprised. They certainly want higher yields and returns, but many people can be resistant to making the kinds of changes or long term investments to actually realize those goals. Corporate/bureaucratic governance is arguably more prone to doing the sorts of bloodless cost/benefit analysis that can push productivity, while smaller family farms might be more focused on just getting through the day-to-day work. That plus a lot of productivity gains come from returns to scale and logistical capacity that you need to be at a certain size to realize. It's just out of reach for smaller entities.
        croon 7y ago
        None of these facts differ between a before/after of the discussed scenario.
- naravara 7y ago
  The ship sailed on this decades ago. "Small farms" at this point are just sticking it out as a hobby instead of being able to make a livelihood out of it. They're mostly contracted out to BigAg now except in places where there is a strong farmer's union/Co-Op scene.

mc32 7y ago

I see it being regressive and encouraging small farmers to sell out to large operators who can more economically scale production.

croon 7y ago
They already compete under the same parameters before, so this should be unchanged.
- mc32 7y ago
  Not if the pressures pushes industry toward “higher productivity applications” as outlined by patent commenter.
  - croon 7y ago
    Small farmers don't want higher productivity already?
    - mc32 7y ago
      How? They can’t leverage the same markets they can’t leverage economies of scale, etc. A conglomerate can find new markets when another one dries up. A grocery store closes, it’s not easy for s local farmer suddenly find a new buyer, for example.
      - croon 7y ago
        I understand that. What I'm pointing out is that the small farmer already needs to cover all expenses through their sales price, which already is competing with conglomerates capable of much higher economies of scale. An expense increase for both parties won't affect the dynamic already in place.
    - naravara 7y ago
      You'd be surprised. They certainly want higher yields and returns, but many people can be resistant to making the kinds of changes or long term investments to actually realize those goals. Corporate/bureaucratic governance is arguably more prone to doing the sorts of bloodless cost/benefit analysis that can push productivity, while smaller family farms might be more focused on just getting through the day-to-day work. That plus a lot of productivity gains come from returns to scale and logistical capacity that you need to be at a certain size to realize. It's just out of reach for smaller entities.
      - croon 7y ago
        None of these facts differ between a before/after of the discussed scenario.
naravara 7y ago
The ship sailed on this decades ago. "Small farms" at this point are just sticking it out as a hobby instead of being able to make a livelihood out of it. They're mostly contracted out to BigAg now except in places where there is a strong farmer's union/Co-Op scene.