I think the post about the dairy that does organic milk is a good example of how small farmers/ranchers can survive or even thrive. You have to break out of the traditional commodity market which is set up for large production and small margins.
As to land values, land that is $2000 an acres, isn't a ranch. There is no way that pays for itself so I don't know what you call it but its not purely a ranch. It may be a hobby or an investment but it won't produce a profitable cattle operation.
As to the Brazil comment. My grand parents bought into a ranch in Brazil with some Americans in the 1960's. A few years later, Brazil nationalized the ranch and took it back. Few memeber s of the group tried to stop them and they were shot. I think Brazil is much more stable know but I'm leary of being a foreign owner in another country.
As for the $74,000 figure, I'm not sure that taxes are taken out. But thats a household income from farming, it assumes no outside employment. I'd say thats marginal for being able to raise a family.