Genesee County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan

APPENDIX C: SWOT ANALYSIS
policy and oversight are added, farmers express little willingness to continue in
agriculture and/or expand operations. As this perception grows, it increases the
likelihood that operations may relocate putting stress on the regional economy and
support infrastructure.
Commodity Prices: While the County cannot directly impact commodity prices, it
remains one of the fundamental issues in agriculture. Commodity farms are producing
crops in increasing abundance worldwide. This overproduction, combined with large
annual carryover and new federal support policies, keeps prices unsustainably low. If
this condition persists, Genesee County farms, with higher costs and a ready land market,
will likely transition at a higher rate.
Industry Consolidation: A less obvious threat to Genesee County agriculture comes from
the increased rate of agribusiness industry consolidation. Consolidation is evident in both
input industries and output industries (e.g. Cargill & Continental or Tyson & IBP) . The
threat imposed is that of a less responsive, more costly marketing system.
Declining Markets: Due to the loss of critical mass and consolidation in parts of the
regions, marketing opportunities are diminishing for grain and livestock. This issue is of
particular concern for livestock producers who, over the last 15 years have seen the
number of small processors/locker plants drop while at the same time seeing the number
of marketing/auction opportunities reduced. The same situation is occurring for grain
and vegetable crops throughout New York. The end result is higher risk for farmers who
sell into these markets.
Energy: Access to affordable energy supplies (natural gas, propane, diesel, electricity,
etc.) and limited co-generation opportunities will inhibit growth and add significantly to
regional operating costs.
Neighboring Land-Use Controls: Unexpected and/or unnoticed changes in the land-use
policies of neighboring jurisdictions can very quickly change use patterns in Genesee.
This could have the effect of steering new development into the County or pulling
beneficial development out of the County.
International Market Access: Genesee farms and agribusinesses are within the service
area of a potentially lucrative dairy market in Canada, but are restricted from entry.
Access to this market could provide an additional source of revenue, boosting dairy farm
income. Without parity in this relationship, Canadian producers can use proceeds from
Canadian sales to access and negatively impact the Western New York milk market.
Copyright©, 2000: Agricultural & Community Development Services, Inc, Columbia MD 11