Optimism growing on local farms as agriculture is trending up

  • By Jennifer Kneuss
  • March 4, 2010
  • 668
                        
Wayne 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. He is one of the nine Ohio State Extension Educators for a 12-county area whose consultation services are available to Wayne 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 stated 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 shows 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. Shelly Odenkirk, county executive director of the Wayne County Farm Service Agency, remains positive about a better 2010 as well. “Agriculture is so important to Wayne County, and it will be continue to be a viable part of our economy for the future. Dairy prices are coming up slowly, so hopefully, things will be better for our farmers in 2010,” commented Odenkirk. “Grain producers had to deal with toxin problems in their grain in 2009 because it was so wet. They had a good yield, but we are hoping that 2010 will be better. The prices they are getting for their crops are improving, so that’s a hopeful sign. Prices are stabilizing at current levels.” Area vegetable and grain farmer Roger Maurer has both positive and uncertain thoughts about the year to come. “Livestock prices are down, and dairy prices are lower. We are hopeful that we will have a good year, good crops, and good weather. The cost of fertilizer, especially, is down. Other things have come down or held in price. That is one of the positive things out there,” stated Maurer. He noted that increasing governmental regulations, policies, and bureaucracies have the potential to negatively impact Ohio agriculture. “With cap and trade on the horizon, and that sort of thing, it makes you wonder a little bit. There are new regulations proposed for produce growers. We’re in the fruit and vegetable business, and all these new regulations are going to hurt. The paperwork alone will be a nightmare. The paperwork becomes more important than what you are actually doing” Like his fellow farmers, Maurer knows there are tremendous challenges ahead. “Input costs do seem to be down a little bit. Seed has gone up some, but not too much. A big problem facing us is the agenda of some groups out to curtail agriculture. The Humane Society US is going to be putting something on the ballot, too. It’s not good for Ohio. It’s just going to make it more difficult for the livestock producers, and the people who are the consumers.”


Loading next article...

End of content

No more pages to load