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Agricultural
industry split on state of the economy
By
TY BEAVER
H&N
Staff Writer
John
Cross, general manager for Newell Potato Cooperative, doesn’t think
the country — specifically farming — is in a recession.
He
points out that prices for core crops are the highest they’ve been in
years.
But
others were more hesitant, saying that the cost of producing crops is
increasing faster than the prices they are sold for.
“I
don’t see a super benefit,” said Donnie Boyd of Floyd A. Boyd Co.
The
split opinion on the current economy among those in agriculture is an
example of how a recession can bring both hope and trepidation.
Cross
and farmer- rancher Tracey Liskey said that aspects of the agricultural
market are doing very well. Factors such as demand for ethanol and
growing markets in
Cross
pointed out that the current economy also encourages growers to produce
surpluses to take advantage of the high prices. The extra money can be
translated into further purchases such as new equipment.
“If
you show a grower a profit, he’ll show you a surplus,” he said.
But
Boyd and Bob Gasser of Basin Fertilizer aren’t as quick to label these
as good times for agriculture.
Expenses
such as labor, fertilizer and fuel are also increasing and, in some
cases, outstripping the revenue growers are bringing in. Liskey also
pointed out that not all producers benefit from the high grain prices.
Some ranchers and feedlot owners could struggle as the cost of
maintaining their livestock increases.
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