Tough Times Require Unity
PRESIDENTIAL PARADIGMS
Charles Wilfong , President , West Virginia Farm Bureau
Making a profit in farming seems to be getting harder every day . With only a few exceptions there seems to be little real profit margin regardless of what farm commodity we are producing . For our West Virginia farmers , a couple of the only exceptions thus far have been poultry and to a lesser extent , sheep .
Forecasters predict that low commodity prices will likely persist for at least the next 3-4 years . Predictions of very slow global economic growth will severely limit much help for our producers from the export markets . Input prices have reduced some , but not enough to compensate for the lower commodity prices received . Reductions in fuel and fertilizer have helped some as well , but now we are seeing fuel prices beginning to rise .
High on the list of input costs that will have to be adjusted are cash land rental rates . Many of these land rental rates were negotiated when cattle and crop prices were much better . Many farmers are now saddled with land rental rates that are not sustainable if current market trends persist . Young farmers in particular , but others as well , are starting to have more difficulty getting adequate credit .
Farm Credit and their experienced staff will be even more important through possible tough times because they understand agriculture . Their commitment to agriculture is extremely important .
When things get tight , it requires some cutting back on non-essential purchases , which means our farm supply co-ops and other businesses are being challenged as well . Many of these
see Wilfong , page 20
TPP Is a Good Deal for U . S . Agriculture
4 West Virginia Farm Bureau News
Zippy Duvall , President , American Farm Bureau Federation
Farmers and ranchers know a good deal . We know how to make every dollar , down to the penny , count . That ' s why Farm Bureau wasted no time in looking at what the Trans- Pacific Partnership agreement would mean in dollars and cents on farms and ranches across America .
What ' s the bottom line for agriculture with TPP ? We ' re looking at an expected boost in business just when farms and rural economies need it most . Farm Bureau estimates an annual increase in U . S . net farm income of $ 4.4 billion , compared to not passing the agreement . In spite of negative political rhetoric , the fact is that every day we wait to approve TPP we lose ground . It ' s like showing up at the auction barn with a load of cattle after the last gavel has fallen . We fall behind our global competitors . We give up billions in business . And we lose out on deals that other countries are ready to make without us .
Our farm and ranch businesses lose when our nation leaves trade deals on the table that would level the playing field . American-grown and -made means quality and customers around the world know this . But high tariffs and other trade barriers put in place by countries like Japan will keep shutting out American businesses and agricultural goods if we refuse to lead the way in approving trade agreements that would move us forward .
Our farmers and ranchers need market expansion
see Duvall , page ?