Family Farms Dwindling in Central Louisiana

Alexandria (LA) Daily Town Talk ^ | 02-19-03 | Not given

[Theodore R.]

MARKSVILLE -- He had to sell the family farm two years ago. Now, when he works, Larry Deville drives another farmer's tractor on another farmer's land.

He's 60: the age at which his father died of a heart attack 40 years ago, while working his land. "He was doing the thing he loved to do," Deville said. "I wish I could go like that."

[Pern]

The story is correct, if you'd drive down Hwy. 31, I-10, or I-49 you'd see huge sugarcane fields up for sale. Almost all of the new subdivisions constructed are being built on former sugarcane fields. I have a family friend that own several fields, and he said he's going to lose money in spite of all his fields fully planted and producing.

Also, near Eunice, there are huge rice fields up for sale, too.

[PeterPrinciple]

Agriculture is a mature industry. I told my clients that they were like a small hardware store and Walmart has come to town...........You can quit, go work for Walmart or find a niche.........or if you want to, you can compete with walmart...........your choice.

[upcountryhorseman]

I suggest that one of the problems these farmers have
is that they are over- capitalized. They have huge
payments to make on tractors and farm equipment. Also,
they go into debt for seed and planting costs in
anticipation of a bumper harvest. When they have a poor
harvest, what do they do?