Midwest crop farmers in the U.S. are getting older. Fast. Most of their current corn and soybean production goes towards feeding animals like cows in concentrated feedlot operations. Could the next generation replace this row crop production with pasture and return cows back to the land?

It will be a mighty task.

For starters, sky-high land values & cash rents mean that most producers will remain dependent on a system that guarantees them a meager return on staple crops via commodity support payments and crop insurance proceeds from the government.

The only chance for real change might come as a result of who ends up owning this farmland, tomorrow. Investment funds could play a positive societal role by purchasing farmland and leasing it to regenerative farmers at reduced rates.

The cows will have to wait to come home, otherwise.