EconGoneCountry

Supply and demand with a twang

Title: Here's To the Farmer

​Artist: Luke Bryan

Economic Concepts: Government policies; Tax; Technological advancement; Production Possibilities Frontier (PPF); Economies of scale; Demand

Details: Many people from non-rural settings are probably unaware that the diesel fuel used by farmers is different from that found at a typical gas station.  Specifically, farm fuel is categorized as 'Off-road diesel' or 'Red dye diesel', and is exempt from state and federal excise taxes.  The fuel literally is dyed red so that it can be distinguished from regular, on-road diesel.  This, of course, is meant to help farmers financially and can be a great way to talk to students about taxes and government policies targeted at certain industries. 

Technological change leads to more efficient production and expands the Production Possibilities Frontier (PPF).  This evolution in farming has been dramatic and can be understood through the lyrics, "…ten rows between" and "2000 acres of bean and cattle".  Not only has the scale of farming operations increased, yields have also steadily increased over time (https://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/corn/news/timeless/YieldTrends.html).    

Finally, the supply and demand framework and its effect on price is visible in the song.  Continued growth of urban centers has increased the demand for land and led to large increases in price in these areas.  This has been a windfall for many farmers, but some decide to continue farming the land and doing what they love.  "Subdivision's creeping on in…He could double his money but that'd be the end of a promise he'll never break."     

Lyrics: 
Talk about an uphill battle
2000 acres of beans and cattle
But he don't ever get rattled
He just goes 'til the sun goes down

Hydraulic fluid on his jeans
Red dye diesel and ten rows between
A cold one on the porch and a good nights of sleep
Y'all hold 'em up with me now

Here's to the farmer that plants the fields in the spring
That turn from green to that harvest honey
Hold one up for the banker downtown
That got him on his feet with handshake money
Here's to the farmer's wife
That loves him every night
Raising a son, raising a daughter
They gather 'round the table, send it up to the Father
Somehow they get closer when times get harder
Here's to the farmer

Subdivision's creeping on in
Neighborhood kids keep jumping his fence
He could double his money
But that'd be the end of a promise he'll never break

Cause he looked his daddy in the eye
And he's got that stubborn pride
He'll be here 'til the day he dies
No, he wouldn't have it any other way

Here's to the farmer that plants the fields in the spring
That turn from green to that harvest honey
Hold one up for the banker downtown
That got him on his feet with handshake money
Here's to the farmer's wife
That loves him every night
Raising a son, raising a daughter
They gather 'round the table, send it up to the Father
Somehow they get closer when times get harder
Here's to the farmer

Yeah, here's to the farmer that loves his day in the sun
Won't sell that old half-ton
Nobody knows better 'bout a hard-earned dollar
Just tell him how far he's gotta go and he'll go further
Here's to the farmer
Here's to the farmer
Thank you, boys   ​​​​