Optimism growing on local farms as agriculture is trending up
March 4, 2010
564
By Jennifer Kneuss
Holmes County farmers have many things to consider as they head into 2010.
Ohio State University Extension production budgets show that the cost to plant corn and soybeans this year will be less when compared to 2009 budget projections, explained Chris Zoller, one of the nine Ohio State Extension Educators for a 12-county area whose consultation services are available to Holmes County farmers. Total production costs for a farmer planting Roundup Ready soybeans in 2010 is estimated, depending on yield, to be between $365 and $465 per acre or $7.78 to $10 per bushel. This compares to 2009 budget figures of $401 to $524 per acre or $8.73 to $11.15 per bushel. Corn growers are expected to see savings this year as well. The OSU Extension 2010 budget puts corn production costs, depending on yield, at between $515 and $658 per acre or $3.57 to $4.36 per bushel. This compares with 2009 estimates of $583 to $754 per acre or $4.10 to $4.94 per bushel.
Zoller said that, in addition to lower production costs, dairy farmers may see a glimmer of light after a very difficult 2009.
Dairy farmers have seen price improvements and, hopefully, these will continue. The class III milk futures show prices increasing slightly over the next 12 to 18 month period. A number of factors influence milk pricing and farmers are encouraged to use these projections as a guide for where the market may be headed, Zoller stated.
Susan Brinker, Ohio Farm Bureau director for Holmes, Coshocton, Knox, and Licking counties, believes that the passage of Issue 2 last fall hails positive changes, but cautions that the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is already trying to undermine the control of Ohio livestock by Ohio agriculturalists. Farmers feel strongly and are very confident in the legislative process where the Livestock Care Standards Board is concerned. Right now what is needed is the appropriate amount of time for the board to be placed and for it to be given the necessary time to work without HSUS attempting to seize its authority it was given in last Novembers election, she said, referring to the HSUS plan to put their own issue on the next ballot.
Mike Sprang, a Lakeville grain farmer, is also concerned. The HSUS is trying to come in and tell long-term Ohio farmers what they can and cannot do. That is bad news for farmers. Sprang said that farmers want to grow. A major problem is continuing to be the competition for new ground to farm. They are making equipment bigger and more advanced all the time, so you can do more work. Thats why farmers need more land to work.
Grain farmers have had two or three good years in a row, said Darrell Kick, a Loudonville area sixth generation farmer. I think the future for 2010 is finding the balance in the market. The global market shutting down has really, really hurt the dairy industry. I just feel that Holmes County is totally global now, because of the market. Were still in a hole for 2010, how can we get better at bookwork and show the banks we can still do it? Some people say it will take four to five years of above average prices to get us out of this hole. Its this constant ebb and flow we have to deal with.
