Qualifiers

1.

Commodity farming costs vary widely.  Regardless, low commodity margins require substantial land and capital investments.
Underlying point:  Out-of-reach for most young/new entrants.
Pertinent Successful Farming Magazine Article

2.

Assumes $200K for 40 acres + $50K for capital.

3.

Realistic is relative to typical off-farm median income and commonality of $200-$300K credit lines banks are willing to commit.  
Underlying point:  Similar to home mortgage.  Lender palatability enhanced as home may become lien on farmland mortgage.

4.

This statement is not opinion.  Over the past five decades most commodities have sold below COP in 70% of those years allowing processors to procure raw materials at prices they themselves could not replicate.  The Farm Bill, via taxpayers, historically subsidized this give-away through direct payments to commodity farmers.   Currently, tax payers are paying up to 60% of crop insurance premiums plus a guaranteed 14% profit margin to insurance companies.  

5.

Industrial processing concerns rank high amongst an increasing number of consumers.

6.

Custom  processing facilities are dwindling.  Lead times are approaching one year.  Increasingly difficult to schedule an efficient,  full gooseneck trailer quantity  of livestock.

7.

Custom  processing rates have nearly doubled in the past decade decreasing farm margins.  Because margin x volume = income, farmers must increase livestock density and/or increase land holdings in order to achieve same income.  Increasing livestock density may violate the precepts of the farmer’s marketing niche.  Increasing land holdings to allow acceptable livestock density washes out income with added expense.  

8.

WI DATCP authorizes only those who are able to justify a fully-utilized food processing plant.  On-farm exemptions are limited to 999 poultry, 0 cattle, 0 hogs and 150 laying hens.  As it is clearly evident that these low volumes cannot produce any meaningful income, these DATCP regulations effectively obstruct farmers from participating in Club 85.