Agricultural Consolidation: Causes and the Path Forward: Agricultural Symposium 2017

The agricultural economy, both in the U.S. and internationally, continues to adjust to the sharp drop in commodity prices and profit margins from those of just a few years ago. The reduction in prices and profits has led farm producers, agribusinesses, and agricultural lenders to consider fundamental changes to their business models to maintain competitiveness, improve efficiency, and position their businesses for long-term growth. These decisions, however, require a pragmatic recognition of a new commodity price landscape, resulting in strategic realignments and consolidation across the agricultural sector. The 2017 Agricultural Symposium, “Agricultural Consolidation: Causes and the Path Forward” explored the underlying drivers of consolidation in the industry and potential implications for businesses, consumers, and rural communities. The first day of the Symposium discussed the factors driving consolidation in food and agricultural production and the economic implications of consolidation. The second day of the Symposium discussed the implications for agricultural lending institutions and the role of policy in addressing agricultural consolidation