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Area farmers blasted the federal Freedom
to Farm bill and called for changes in agricultural policy
during a forum Friday morning.
Finding a way to improve the agriculture
economy for the entire nation, not just the Panhandle, was the
challenge issued by participants in a Farm Bill town hall
meeting sponsored by Gov. Mike Johanns.
Panhandle farmers, ranchers and
agribusiness people presented their ideas during an hour-long
session at the UN Panhandle Research and Extension Center.
All agreed that parts of the present
legislation should be retained with some modifications, and
that other features should be eliminated.
"The Freedom to Farm act is a
disaster, and somebody needs to be held accountable,"
declared Don Hansen, a Hemingford area farmer, during the
public comment period. His statement earned applause from the
audience.
Of the six panelists and the six
individuals who spoke, several noted the necessity of leveling
the playing field in international trade agreements, and they
all agreed food should not be used as a weapon.
Bolstering commodity prices was also a
priority among the participants, who would just as soon do
without government payments and live off their own production.
"Were witnessing the demise of
American agriculture as we know it," said John Maser, a
Minatare area farmer. "Weve lost hope, and no one is
optimistic anymore. We need to return profitability to
production agriculture."
Maser said he and many other farmers are
surviving on government payments. "Were not proud of
it, but its a way to survive. We can survive the tough
times, but we need a profit once in awhile."
Larry Flohr, a Chappell area wheat and
millet farmer, said the current farm legislation failed partly
because trade opportunities were not developed.
"I have mixed emotions about why I
am here today," he said. "The majority of my income
is from payments, but I prefer to live off my own
production."
Flohr said an emergency assistance
package is needed immediately to keep farmers from going under
before a new Farm Bill is written.
Owen Palm, former vice president of
Western Sugar and a farmer and agribusinessman, said the
current farm program must be changed.
"Beets are not marketable, and the
United States is a net importer of sugar and obliged by trade
agreements to remain so," he said. "No other
commodity faces such a large import requirement. This limits
domestic growth."
Allen Bright, a feedlot operator from
Antioch, hopes the government will be more vigilant in
developing its programs.
He noted the 2000 sugar payment in kind
program that reduced the number of harvested sugarbeets. This
also reduced the amount of beet pulp available to livestock
feeders, making them find a more expensive feed source.
"This was an unintended consequence
of the government messing with the market," he said.
Suggestions for the Farm Bill included
elimination of embargoes, inventory management, resolution of
import issues, maintaining planting flexibility and creating a
revenue coverage program.
Johanns said he agrees that an emergency
package needs to be developed to carry farmers through until
the new Farm Bill is finalized two years from now.
He also recognizes the challenge in
helping one area of agriculture without hurting another.
Merlyn Carlson, director of the Nebraska
Department of Agriculture, also attended the meeting.
"I think we have some good things
coming for agriculture, because were going to level the
playing field," he said. |