How ARMS Data is Used:
An Illinois Perspective
Gary Schnitkey
University of Illinois
1
ARMS data already used
extensively
 Research
(primarily in
finance group)
 State-level data
will enhance
ARMS use and
usefulness
2
Linkages between ARMS
and already existing data
 Data already created at state, university,
commodity group, other level
– Budgets
– State income estimates
– Farm financial databases
 Example: Illinois Farm Business Farm
Management (FBFM)
3
Costs per acre, corn, 2002
Seed
Fertilizer
Chemicals
Power
Land
Labor
Other
Total
Yield/acre
ARMS
------ Illinois FBFM -----Heartland North Central South
$32
$35
$34
$35
39
51
55
54
26
34
34
31
89
113
106
101
104
121
130
70
25
35
37
40
12
22
20
19
$327
$411
$416
$350
142
154
152
97
4
Income estimates
1997
1998
1999
2999
2001
2002
2003E
USDA
($ million) *
2,109
1,425
1,081
1,569
1,664
642
FBFM
NFI **
$50,200
13,800
31,200
54,100
30,900
27,100
51,800
* USDA estimates of aggregate Illinois net farm
income
** FBFM estimate of net income per grain farm
5
Index number (1.0 = average)
USDA and FBFM: Trends
over time
1.6
1.4
FBFM
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
USDA
0.2
0
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
Year
6
Combinations between
ARMS and existing data
likely to be highly useful
ARMS random
sample, national
coverage
“State” detailed
information about
production
processes,
longitudinal
7
Additional information
 Cropping practices
 Costs and returns
* Household income
8