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Oregon grower to lead NAWG
Karl Scronce’s goals include
increased overall yields
Matthew Weaver
Capital Press
A lot of people might question why anyone would want to be president of a national grower organization, Karl Scronce said with a laugh.
That's a good question, but he has an equally good answer. Scronce said he wants to make sure the wheat industry is secure for future farm families.
"My heart's in farming, and it always will be," he said. "I just really want to see a future in agriculture for farm families."
A resident of Klamath Falls, Ore., Scronce was elected president of the National Association of Wheat Growers Feb. 28. The term lasts for one year.
Scronce said he worked his way up to the position, starting out as a county vice president for the Oregon Wheat Growers League in 1996. He represented Oregon on the national association board and went on to serve on a budget committee before pursuing the title of secretary-treasurer.
Among the association's goals is to increase the average wheat yield by 20 percent in 10 years.
"Some of the talk about biotechnology and the increases in corn yield they've had since 1980, you think that's a lofty goal, but it truly is possible," Scronce said.
Biotechnological traits the association could pursue, he said, include herbicide resistance, disease resistance and drought tolerance.
Scronce said the association also wants to continue traditional wheat-breeding programs.
Many of the association's goals are long-term, but Scronce said he hopes to see the farm bill successfully implemented in the year ahead.
President Barack Obama is looking for cuts in commodity
-title programs, Scronce said. If participation is limited by gross revenues, many wheat farmers will be affected ,because they have gross sales exceeding the $500,000 limit.
Scronce also sees crop insurance as a big issue, with cuts also being discussed.
"Yeah, the government is kicking in some money to help subsidize that, but the grower is putting in his money, too," he said. "If the grower is putting in his money, he must feel that program has value, so we want to make sure it stays strong."
Scronce said he believes it is good for the Northwest to have representation in the association. While the association doesn't differentiate among wheat classes, there are issues with crop insurance and farm programs unique to the area, he said.
Matthew Weaver is based in Spokane, Wash. E-mail: mweaver@capitalpress.com.
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