An Alternative to Farmer Age as an Indicator of Life-Cycle Stage: The Case for a Farm Family Age Index.

摘要: Abstract In studies of farming, the age principal decision-maker (PDM) has been associated with numerous farm structural and managerial features widely accepted as a good indicator influence life-cycle factors on decision-making. As such, it become an important aspect many quantitative agricultural change. However, contemporary family farming demonstrate that concept single PDM in farms is becoming anachronism alternative enterprises, pluriactivity scale force more diffuse management/operating systems. This raises questions concerning whether can still be taken representative structure, strategy or stage? Using study conducted Grampian Mountains region Scotland 2003 this note investigates impact using index—compiled by averaging members working farm. It suggests relatively poor compared to index calls for researchers think about approaches measuring ‘age’ indicator.