Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences data show large family farms generally outperform corporates in terms of operating returns.

ABARES compared the rate of return of corporate and family farms earning more than $1 million for five years to 2015-16. The analysis included capital appreciation of assets — largely farm land.

The results for cropping and dairy farms were quite significant. The average return for family grain operations over the five years was about 7.3 per cent, compared to 5.9 per cent for corporate farms. Large family-run dairy farms had a rate of return of 4.6 per cent, well above the 2.6 per cent average for corporate businesses.