Farming in today's market is not for the weary. Farmers are experiencing good prices for various crops, but there is still a lot fighting against them. Between Mother Nature and global competition, farmers need to keep a thick skin in order to make it.
Prices for crops like corn, cotton, soybeans and wheat are at all-time highs, which is great for our farmers in Hall County. The U.S. Department of Agriculture expects farmers' net income will be up 7.6 percent from last year and 44 percent over 2009. But with this good news, farmers are also facing increasing challenges from fuel and fertilizer costs being 20 percent higher from a year ago.
Most of us in the agriculture field know these high prices will not last for long. It can be expected that when global production increases, prices will fall with increased production. It all has to do with supply and demand. Farmers have very little control over the prices they receive, and definitely are at the mercy of the marketplace.
They are also at the mercy of insects, disease and drought. A farmer can do everything right: plant the right variety, plant at the right time, keep weeds under control, and then everything can fall apart due to an unforeseen problem. It's enough pressure to make a grown man cry.
Here in the United States, we enjoy low food prices, and this is one of the main reasons why we need a strong farm bill. Right now, members of Congress are conducting listening sessions around the country in order to gear up for next year's farm bill. With a strong farm bill in place, farmers will be able to ride out the storm between the highs and lows that are a part of the business of agriculture.
A farm bill also protects the consumer by ensuring we all have plenty to eat at a reasonable price.
Adapted from Nathan B. Smith, Farm Economist with the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Tifton Campus.
Michael Wheeler is Hall County is Hall County Extension Coordinator. His column on agribusiness appears biweekly on Thursdays and on gainesvilletimes.com.