The University of Minnesota recently reported that the median net farm income for southern and western Minnesota farmers in 2020 was $102,848.
It’s the highest since 2012, which was followed by seven years (2013-2019) of poor income levels in the region.
The 2020 net farm income levels in that region were enhanced by robust crop profits that resulted from above-average crop yields, improved grain market prices, and significant levels of government program payments. Livestock profit margins were also improved compared to recent years; however, at much more modest levels than crop profits.
Following are some of the key points and data that were in the 2020 Farm Business Management summary:
Net farm income” is the income that remains after operation costs are paid.
•Median net farm income is the midpoint net farm income of all farm operations included in the FBM summary, meaning that half of the farms have a higher net farm income and half have a lower net income.
· A total of 1,543 farms from throughout south central, southwest, southeast and west central Minnesota were included in the 2020 FBM summary.
· The average farm size was 671 acres. The top 20 percent net income farms averaged 975 acres, while the bottom 20 percent net income farms had 278 acres.
· 56 percent of the farm operations were cash crop farms, 16 percent were single entity livestock operations, with the balance being combinations of crop, livestock and other enterprises.
· 465 farms (30 percent) were under $250,000 in gross farm sales in 2020; 352 farms (23 percent) were between $250,000 and $500,000 in gross sales; 366 farms (24 percent) were between $500,000 and $1 million in gross sales; and 360 farms (23 percent) were above $1 million in gross sales.
· In 2020 the average farm business received $110,244 in government program payments. The combination of one-time COVID-19 relief payments and crop disaster payments, together with regular farm program payments and crop insurance payments, accounted for approximately 74 percent of the 2020 net farm income.
· The average family living expense in 2020 was $60,814, which has declined in recent years, with medical expenses and health insurance costs accounting for 16 percent of the total expenses. The average non-farm income in 2020 was $45,717, which represents over half of total annual non-farm expenses by families.
· In 2020 the average farm business spent $959,834 for farm business operating expenses, capital purchases, and family living expenses. Most of these dollars were spent in local communities across the region, helping support the area’s overall economy.
Farm financial analysis
The average net farm income for southern and west central Minnesota for 2020 was $175,216. The median net farm income for the region in 2020 was $102,848, which compares to median net farm income levels of $36,547 in 2019, $20,655 in 2018, $25,377 in 2017, $33,071 in 2016, and $22,434 in 2015.
As usual, there was large variation in net farm income in 2020, with the top 20 percent averaging more than $560,317 and the bottom 20 percent averaging a negative $18,372. Less than 10 percent of the farm operations showed a negative average net farm income for 2020, which is at the lowest level in several years.
The average farm business in 2020 had a very favorable profit margins (21.2)
Any additional cash flow dollars over and above the term debt principal and interest payments that are earned by farm operation are available for machinery replacement or other capital improvements. In 2020 the average farm had $116,287 available for those purposes, while the top 20 percent profitability farms had over $400,000 available.
This helps explain the strong demand for new and used farm machinery, plans for grain system improvements and other farm upgrades that has occurred in recent months.
Bottom line
Net returns from both crop and livestock operations across the Upper Midwest were much improved for most farm operators in 2020 with wide variation from the top one-third of net farm income operations as compared to other farms. Livestock producers did not fare nearly as well as crop producers from a net profit standpoint in 2020.
The added government payments to farmers due to the COVID-19 pandemic and poor crop yields in 2019 had a big influence of farm profit levels.
The overall average financial health of many farm businesses improved significantly in 2020, after declining for several years due to low profit levels. This has also helped strengthen the overall economy in many rural communities in the Upper Midwest.
Farm profit levels remain quite favorable in 2021; however, it’s likely there will be much lower levels of government payments, rapidly increasing input expenses and much higher land purchase and rent costs.
Grain prices are currently at their highest levels since 2012 and 2013, and livestock prices remain fairly strong; however, there is concern over potential future declines in grain and livestock market prices later this year or into 2022.
The Farm Business Management (FBM) summary for southern and west central Minnesota is prepared by the Farm Business Management instructors, which is then analyzed by the University of Minnesota Extension specialists. This summary includes an analysis of the farm business records from farm businesses of all types and sizes and is considered to be one of the best gauges of profitability and financial health of farm businesses in the region on an annual basis.
Complete farm management results are available through the University of Minnesota Center for Farm Management FINBIN Program at: http://www.finbin.umn.edu