SERVING PRODUCERS IN VOLATILE TIMES REPORT FROM THE 2008 LARGE COMMERCIAL PRODUCER SURVEY

Purdue University’s Center for Food and Agricultural Business undertook the 2008 Large Commercial Producer Survey with the goal of providing food and agribusiness firms with a clear depiction of the commercial producers—a group that purchases the majority of agricultural inputs. This survey summarizes the results of more than 2,500 farm operator interviews completed in January and February 2008. The center first conducted this survey in 1993 and collects new data every five years. This study offers a broad look at changes in farm businesses over time. In addition to demographic information, the questions specifically explore the goals, attitudes and buying behaviors of large commercial farming and ranching operations.