Farm Income by Type of Farm, 1982 and 1983

Net farm income in 1983 was higher for most types of crop farms than in 1982 and lower for most types of livestock and poultry farms. Average incomes ranged from $82,000 for vegetable growers to $1,500 for cattle, hog, and sheep producers. Substantial off-farm incomes (averaging more than $17,000 per farm) and low farm incomes on some farm types suggest that farming is a sideline for many. If part-time farms were excluded, or listed separately, the resulting income figures might show farm sector well-being more accurately than the aggregate estimate now used.