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Agricultural Outlook
By Kent Thiesse
Farmfest is the Town Hall for ag ideas, issues
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nother Farmfest has come and gone, and after it’s over it is kind of interesting to look back and see what nuggets are the take-home messages from the various forums and events. The biggest news regarding the future of Farmfest probably came the day before Faremfest started, when it was announced that American Farm Bureau had purchased the agricultural events and publications previously owned by Cygnus Business Media. This purchase involved five IDEAg farm shows, including Farmfest in Redwood County, Minnesota, and Dakotafest, held annually near Mitchell, South Dakota. Next year’s Farmfest is Aug. 5-7. The 2013 Farmfest forums featured considerable concern and emphasis regarding the future of ag policy issues and farming practices, both at the national and state level. Following are some of the highlights from the 2013 Farmfest forums:
• Governor Mark Dayton drew statewide media attention at Farmfest when he called for repeal of the new state sales tax on the labor costs of farm machinery and equipment repairs, which went into effect on July 1. The farm machinery repair expenditures have previously been exempt from state sales tax. The new sales tax was passed as a part of state budget enhancement efforts. Dayton also stressed the need to provide necessary disaster assistance to farm operators, especially livestock producers, in the areas of Minnesota that were severely impacted by the late and prevented planting this past Spring, along with other significant weather issues during the 2013 growing season. • The Farmfest forum titled: “Reaching an Endpoint on a New Farm Bill” drew national media attention, and featured Congressmen Collin Peterson and Tim Walz, along with several
national farm leaders. Several members of the audience indicated frustration with the lack of movement toward compromise to resolve differences in the proposed Farm Bill. All panel members agreed that the current status, with the versions of the new Farm Bill that have been passed by the U.S. Senate and U.S House being so different, will make it very difficult to pass a final Farm Bill.
• Renewable energy policy was another forum topic that garnered considerable discussion, which included interactions on ethanol, biodiesel, wind, solar, biomass, etc. Sen. Al Franken and Doug O’Brien, USDA Under Secretary, both stressed the importance of a strong commitment to renewable energy policy and development in the United States. Dave Frederickson and Mike Rothman, state commissioners of Agriculture and Commerce, pointed out the impact that renewable energy has had on Minnesota’s economy, as well as the positive aspects on the environment, and lowering the U.S. dependence on foreign energy. However, several panel members also pointed out that it will be difficult to advance the development of renewable energy nationally, or in Minnesota, without the help of supportive federal and state policies. • A panel of media representatives that are not directly associated with agriculture discussed how the agriculture industry is viewed by the media and general public. They indicated that overall perception of agriculture and of farm operators is still quite positive; however, some members admitted that more questions continue to be raised, especially with the very large farm operations. It was pointed out that many large farm operations are composed of one or more farm families that have joined forces to make better utilization of their resources. The
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panel stressed the importance that farmers tell their story, whether it be through the traditional media, the Internet, or in conversations with their non-farm friends and relatives. This will become more important in the future, as fewer consumers have any ties to a farm family.
• In recent years, sow gestation crates, chicken cages, use of antibiotics, and many more items related to livestock husbandry have become front-page news stories, as well as topics for potential legislation. A panel of livestock industry experts discussed these issues and more during a Farmfest forum. Most agreed that a producer is in the best position to determine what is best for the health or welfare of farm livestock, and pointed out that producers need to be in the forefront of developing new guidelines or policies. In recent years, many well-funded activist groups have used the social media and other communication forms to target how farmers and ranchers produce their livestock. These groups have pressured retail food outlets to also get involved, in order to dictate how livestock is raised for the production of meat, milk, and eggs. Just as with the previous forum, this panel encouraged producers to be proactive in sharing the “how and why” relative to their husbandry practices in raising livestock. • Another feature forum at Farmfest was titled: “Future Opportunities in the Agriculture Industry.” Dave Frederickson, state commissioner of Agriculture, highlighted the significance of the agriculture industry to Minnesota, and the need to have strong agricultural education programs. A forum panel, representing a wide range of young ag leaders in various segments of the agriculture industry in Minnesota, shared many facts and figures relative to