6 March 26, 2015 2015 Logan County Farm Outlook Magazine Lincoln Daily News.com
is the 50 to 179 acre group, and third is the
over 1000 acre size. We even have almost 70
farms less than nine acres in size. Many of
these numbers are driven by landlords who
own land as a farm entity, then rent to the
actual producers.
The income side of things shows the largest
number at the opposite ends of the spectrum.
There are 200 farms with net income of less
than $1000, and 162 with net income over
$500,000 according to the 2012 census.
Logan County ranked sixth in pheasant
production in the state – thanks to the hunting
farms, and being the host of the state pheasant
farm is quite appropriate. We also ranked
fourth in chukar partridge production and sixth
in quail.
What is ahead for agriculture on the local
front? Millions are made and lost on that
question. As we saw this past year, production
is in the hands of Mother Nature. The cooler
summer, with adequate rain, produced an
ample crop. The larger supply, rapidly led to
decreasing prices.
Expenses tend to fall somewhat slower, and
this leads to a cash crunch for many producers.
Large equipment orders have slowed
down, and cost-saving measures are being
implemented.
Stay tuned, as there are many curves ahead.
Logan County is blessed with talented
producers, outstanding supply and support
services, and the natural resources to make this
area a true “breadbasket of the country.”
University of Illinois Extension
700 South Airport Drive
Springfield, IL 62707
extension.illinois.edu/lms/
phone 217.782.4617