Klamath agriculture experiences rise in sales

BY CHELSEA MULLER & FARIS TANYOS

March 10, 2008

KLAMATH FALLS , Ore -- An increasing emphasis on renewable fuels has led to a ten percent rise in agricultural sales in the state of Oregon .  All but five Oregon counties have seen an increase in agriculture sales, with Klamath County celebrating the biggest spike at 45 percent.

 "All the input cost that we've had, these prices that we've seen recently have been a welcome relief," says Farmer Luther Horsley. "The ethanol and bio-diesel and stuff is putting so much more competition on acreage that it's restricting the supply, and demand is going up. It's good if you're a farmer and you're growing grain."

Businesses that support farmers are hoping they'll continue to see a positive impact.

"Growers have done well this last year, and I hope we see some of last year's receipts trickle down into our pockets, and I think we will," says Ron Linman of Klamath Basin Equipment. "I've been in this business actively for about 20 years. We haven't seen growers have this kind of year since I've been doing it, so it's been good."

Both, growers and suppliers, are cautiously optimistic, knowing that input costs like fuel are still on the rise. 

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Source:  http://www.kdrv.com/article.aspx?id=23052