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"Great changes have taken place in North Dakota's agriculture since World War II. Available information indicates that great changes will continue to come about in our agricultural industry of the future, changes which will have far reaching effects on all sectors. Economic forces resulting from changes in agricultural technology have encouraged the decline in the number of farms, the increase in the size of farms, and the greater leisure and mobility of farm people, along with rising levels of living. "

North Dakota Agriculture Since World War II, Fred R. Taylor, 1967

The view of the future of agriculture in 1967

What Does the Future Hold for Us?

North Dakota Agriculture Since World War II, Fred R. Taylor, 1967 (Reprinted with permission of the North Dakota State Historical Society, Vol. 34, No. 1, Winter 1967)

  1. Modern agriculture will require a higher degree of technical and managerial skills than many now possess. Rural youth will need to couple their knowledge of farming with collegiate professional training. If they do this they will find that agribusiness which employes 38 percent of our labor force offers great opportunities for advancement.
  2. Farm size will continue to grow with decreases in the number of farms. Each year our farms becom bigger businesses and will require increasing use of good business management and knowhow.
  3. Tomorrow's farm will produce enough food and fiber to support four to five times as many people as the farm of today.
  4. Farms of tomorrow will become more specialized in the production of only one or two items, possibly with at least partially controlled climate and moisture.
  5. They will be integrated with processing and consumption and will be completely and highly mechanized.
  6. Tomorrow's farms will be large business operations with hired managers, complete farm accounts, and large capital needs, which may be met by borrowing through the sale of stocks and bonds like any other business.