Formal Training Requirements for Future Managers of Commercial Agriculture

The title of this article restricts our discussion to training for commercial farm management. As most are aware, however, the structure of the entire agricultural business complex has changed greatly in recent years. We have seen a sharp growth in the number and size of commercial farms with resource capabilities far beyond those of traditional family farms, the transition in some agricultural industries (as in broiler production and cattle feeding) to factory types of operation, and vertical integration of food and feed companies toward agriculture and even into farm production. We are also observing the development of agricultural corporations. Some of these are integrating into agribusiness operations and in conglomerate patterns. For example, some of our Texas cattle feeding corporations have now merged with chemical companies or oil firms, and one has acquired a large scale broiler enterprise. A number own and operate ranches or meat packing plants. One or two have established subsidiary credit corporations.