The idea that common-sense legislation in agriculture and common-sense thinking when many challenges are being faced in agriculture today was the presentation given at the Kiwanis Club Farm City Day here Tuesday by Southwest Research and Extension Center Director Vic Ford.

“Traditionally, weather, pestilence, and markets result in success or failure, but today there are a few new and more serious challenges that, if not solved, will result not in the individual success or failure, but the viability of American agriculture,” Ford said. “These unique challenges are a product of our time and condition. It will take all of us to ensure that we have the safest and the most cost-effective food supply in the world.”
He named the main problem in agriculture as the ever-increasing urban population, “that have no idea where their food supply originates.”

He said that even during the most austere times, food will be plentiful and available, but did stress the challenges that need not be ignored.
Ford told the group that unlike other countries or regions, the United States will not see mass starvation.
“Only twenty percent of the population lives in rural areas. Less than one percent list their primary occupation as a farmer; it is no surprise that most people are ignorant of agricultural issues,” he said. He used the example of complaints about smells after a subdivision is developed as an indication of the ignorance he is concerned about, with the understanding by farmers that this goes along with farming.

“I am concerned  with the current administration, not because of politics, but because this is the first urban-centric administration. Without understanding of the complexity and nuisances of agriculture, bad policy may result” he said.
He talked more on the idea of bad policy, reminding the audience that America does have the safest and most plentiful food supply in the world.

“Because it is that way, we have external pressures on how food is grown,” Ford said.
He used an example of bad policy on a recent proposition passed in California creating a minimum cage size for laying hens and had very little scientific support, but won an emotional appeal. Groups such as HSUS and PETA, whose purpose is to eliminate animal-based foods, pushed for the law that resulted in eggs being more expensive at the store and the elimination of the egg industry in California, according to Ford.

“The regulations have consequences that may not be intended, but these unintended consequences can lead to the demise of agriculture,” he said.
He said another example of bad policy affecting agriculture is the proposed bovine belch and flatulence tax of $80 a head.
“We need common sense,” Ford said.

Other issues he brought before the group were climate change.
Ford said his views are that the Earth has been warming for 10,000 years.
“The amount of that caused by man can be debated,” he added.

He said erratic weather can wreck havoc on crops, with too much water being as detrimental as too little and extremes in heat and cold lead to crop failures, but added he puts very little trust in climate change models.

“There really is no such thing as an average year. I put very little trust in climate change models because of their reliance of extremes, lack of replication, and overuse of exploitation. I put even less trust in perceived negative impacts, and even less in political solutions for solving climate change,” he said.

Ford said there may be new marketing opportunities for the farmer. He said by adhering to certain practices, carbon that is sequestered can be sold.
“This revenue may offset carbon taxes and increased fuel costs, but the landowner may contractually be limited in the use of their property. Government of NG entities may gain control of American agriculture,” Ford said.

Labor is a concern as Ford informed that the majority of farm labor is migrant.
“I remember as a kid, I worked the fields for my pocket money. If we increase horticulture production of fruits and vegetables, where is the labor going to come from? Where are our kids?,” he asked.

He mentioned the cost of land and equipment,
“Capital investment in equipment and land is often a large hurdle. Land prices are often too restrictive for young people to become farmers. There are programs to help, but this is still a large problem,” he said.

He addressed the cost of capital in a tough year.
“The row crop farmers had severe crop degradation if they can get the crop at all. Beef producers had trouble getting hay out. There may be a need to borrow money against next year’s crops, but because of deficit spending, the U.S. government is competing for capital with farmers and others,” Ford said. “Farmers may have survived this year due to crop insurance, but may not have the capital for next year.”

The last concern he wanted farmers and citizens to think about was sustainability.
Farmers and ranchers have practiced sustainability for years, however large retailers are getting on the band wagon promoting a sustainability standard, he said.
“We all can agree that food sustainability is a desired goal, but the definition of sustainability varies, by various groups who want to get their standards across for political reasons,” he said.

 Ford spoke on solutions that can make a difference. He, again, encouraged common sense, becoming informed, suggesting the CES public policy center. He strongly encouraged support of agricultural programs, and the support of agricultural research.