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As another comment stated, short term and long term goals need to be balanced. Unfortunately, the margins in ag (USA) are razor thin, so it is difficult (not im
by kickout 5y ago
As another comment stated, short term and long term goals need to be balanced. Unfortunately, the margins in ag (USA) are razor thin, so it is difficult (not impossible) to adapt sustainable practices while maintaining top yields.
Many sustainable practices require a learning curve and there is a high risk of losing yield if not done correctly.
I think many farmers and landowners _want_ to be sustainable, but the current state of economics makes it challenging except for the top x% of producers.
- BurningFrog 5y agoEven if this is true, which I doubt, those marginal farms will soon be bankrupt, and their lands will be taken over by someone with the means to plan long term. Short sighted practices only remain in the short run.
- kickout 5y agoI'm confused. You doubt implementing sustainable practices is difficult or that it doesn't affect the profitability of farmers? I assure you, both are true. Those farmers survive b/c they are basically using unsustainable practices and transforming natural resources (soil fertility) into cash at the _expense_ of sustainability. There is basically no market for sustainable practices other than some small public relations gimmicks. People/companies are trying things, but the scale agriculture operates it makes the problem exceptionally challenging.