Almost 200 years agriculture was responsible for half the nation's GDP (gross domestic product). These days it is less than 10%.Agribusiness is expected to grow at about 3.3% per year. For agribusiness to succeed, farm financial structures need to be reformed. Property trusts need to be established, farm functions such as shearing need to be out-sourcedand farms need to be bigger.

Gen X-ers may influence this change. They dont want to work hard and be poor all their lives. It may be better to swap independence for mutual relaince and higher profits.

From an article in BRW, August 4-10, 2005, by Phil Ruthven