The farming crisis in Texas from 1965 to 1996

Abstract

From 1965 to 1996, Texas farmers, as well as farmers across the United States, experienced a range of problems that would eventually place them in a severe economic situation. No one in agriculture expects to escape the natural problems associated with farming; weather, insects, planting dates, herbicide decisions, which crops to plant and how many acres planted to each crop must all be faced. During the thirty-one years covered by this dissertation farmers also were subjected to an ever changing situation in farm programs drawn up in Washington. During the late 1960s to the mid 1970s Texas farmers were encouraged to plant every available acre in order to meet the world demand for food. Responding to this encouragement, crop production increased, prices were adequate and farmers made a decent profit. From the mid 1970s to 1996 surplus crop production, not only in the United States but the world as well, caused the commodity prices to decline or at best, stagnate. Inflation also began to rise which meant that Texas farmers were caught in a "cost-price" squeeze. Although farm programs were designed to alleviate this problem, many programs were not quick enough in being implemented and were placed under budgetary restraints. Farmers protested about this situation but little assistance came from Washington. From the mid 1970s to the present, the political power of agriculture declined to the point that coalitions could not be held together. The farm population continued to decline as more and more family farmers left agriculture to seek other types of employment.