MORRISON: I farm--you eat

By Joyce Morrison (admin@illinoisleader.com)

OPINION - As Al Roker gave the weather on the Today Show this morning, a bright yellow sign stood out in the crowd saying "I farm -You eat."

Farmers from Alabama had made their way to the Big Apple and were proud they were part of a select group that provides the nation with food.

It brought to my thoughts all the food we had over Christmas and New Years along with the resolution to shed extra pounds picked up from over indulgence. There was every kind of meat, fruit, vegetable, condiment one could imagine. You name it - it was available. Thanks to the efficiency of a farmer/rancher and our modern transportation system.

Some of you may remember when an orange and hard candy were a treat in your Christmas stocking. Fruits and vegetables were not readily available in the winter months but now we have access to them every day of the year.

Outside observers complain that farmers/ranchers should simply not farm if they have to be subsidized. Using more efficient consolidated operations in large corporate farming operations is their solution. Some believe our land should be taken out of production and we can rely on third world countries for our food.

Would you travel as easily if the transportation industry was not subsidized? Energy is subsidized. Grants help to subsidize your parks, fire departments and recreation. Schools are highly subsidized. When you consider the conveniences you take for granted, almost all of them are subsidized in one way or another.

Why does the public become so angry when food, the most essential need they have, is subsidized?

When you hear these observations, you can bet these people have not moved themselves beyond a desk where their investment is their lunch and the job comes complete with hospitalization and full retirement benefits. It is one thing to lose a job but it is something else to lose a business you have built with your heart, soul and sweat.

There is no one paying half of the farmer's social security and medical insurance. There are no retirement benefits beyond what he saves for himself and a meager social security check. It all comes out of their net income.

Although many farmers and ranchers net income would qualify them for food stamps made available under the farm bill, they are ineligible to apply for them. Most farmers operate on an extremely low net income and in order to keep food available and consumer costs low, there is a price to pay.

There is a move in America to destroy the family farm and take control of the land away from the farmer/ rancher. Ranchers are fighting daily for their grazing rights.

The Environmental Working Group posts the farm subsidy of individual farmers. This figure is very misleading. It does not explain how this figure is arrived at and how it averages out over a five year period. The costs this farmer has incurred or the weather conditions and failed crops are not shown. It has caused a major misconception in how the farm program operates and points an accusing finger at the farmer.

Farmers make up less than 2% of the population and that figure is declining. They have little bargaining power as the strength lies in the agricultural industry as a whole and not the farmer. The average age of a small farmer is 59 years and his income from the farm is minus - $4,498. A large farmer's average age is 50 and his income is $81,142 - however, the large farm figures include the corporate farms.

Note the average age of a farmer. The young people simply cannot afford to get started farming. Will the next generation of farming be forced to become large corporate operations? Asking Future Farmers of America members if they plan to farm or work in the agricultural industry, they almost always answer that they would love to farm but will be forced into another area of agriculture.

A large percent of the farms require one or both marriage partners to work off the farm in order to maintain their operation. And yet their love of the land and their farm animals would put today's environmentalists to shame.

In God's wisdom, as our population increases, so does our food supply. It is interesting to see the advances in agriculture.

I asked Dale Durchholz of Agri-Visor, an affiliate of the Illinois Farm Bureau, to help me with the national average of yields and grain prices from 1955 in comparison with yields and prices of farm products today. In 1955 the average production of corn yielded 42 bu. per acre at $1.35 per bu. market price, 19.8 bu. on wheat at $1.98. Soybeans yielded 20.1 bu. at $2.22.

In 2004 the National Average was an exceptional year with 160 bu of corn, 43 bu. of wheat and 42.6 bu. of soybeans. Todays prices at our local elevator are up considerably from harvest time to $1.97 on corn, $3.07 on wheat and $5.45 on soybeans.

Farm subsidies are only paid if the price per bushel drops below a certain set amount. It is not paid on all production.

The figure I failed to get from Mr. Durchholz were the change in land costs and the cost of production. No doubt there is a tremendous increase in these costs over the past 50 years.

Hogs brought $15 per hundred weight in 1955 and now sell at $47 - $48. That means a 300 lb. hog would bring around $150 on today's market. Cattle bringing $15.60 in 1955 now sell in the range of $88.00 per hundred weight. This means a 1,000 lb. animal would bring $880.00. All of these prices vary with size and quality. I do not have the input costs for production but they leave a narrow margin of profit.

Although the price of gasoline has remained extremely high, the cost of corn used to make ethanol has not increased.

While we pride ourselves on being skilled in a single career such as teaching, medicine, law, etc., farmers are multi-skilled. They must be willing to go into an extremely dangerous, high-risk profession while possessing the skill and knowledge of a mechanic, mathematician , investor, veterinary science, decision maker, bookkeeper, equipment operator, soil and chemistry specialist, purchaser, have physical endurance and the list is endless of a farmer's capabilities.

A farmer is often called upon to pull someone from a ditch, fix a flat tire, help with a break down or provide a gallon or two of gasoline. What other professionals offer that kind of service?

This may come as a surprise but almost all the young farmers and ranchers have college degrees and they also have loans to repay. And yet, they are being forced to leave the farm because the overhead is so tremendous and their profit margin remains extremely low - even with the subsidy included.

Many young farmers find the job in town far more profitable with a lot less stress but they are never fully satisfied not tilling the soil and watching the crops grow. A baby calf taking it's first steps and a momma cow watching her new baby is awesome no matter how many times one witnesses this act of nature.

The next time you feel you should be highly paid for a job where your investment is your education and you consider yourself a professional, perhaps you should compare your investment and skills to a farmer or rancher.

Every bite of food that goes into your mouth is a product the earth has provided with the loving care of a farmer or rancher. The Adopt/Rural Restoration organization reminds people through their bumper stickers "No Farmers - No Food."

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