| WASHINGTON -- Using last month's record commodity price drop as an
example, National Farmers Union reiterated the need for an adequate safety
net for farmers and ranchers to offset severe price fluctuations.
USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service Oct. 31 reported the
largest one-month decline in farm-gate prices since the department began
recording the statistic 91 years ago. The 9.5 percent plunge from the
September index reflects downturns in prices for milk, soybeans, hogs,
corn, broilers, cattle and lettuce, along with seasonal changes in the
marketing of commodities.
"There is tremendous uncertainty among producers and their lenders
because of the volatility of agricultural markets," says NFU
President Leland Swenson. "This proves the need for an adequate
safety net for farmers and ranchers, which current farm policy lacks.
"These unprotected dips and dives in the market hurt our farmers
and ranchers and the rural communities that depend on them," Swenson
says. "We need a safety net provision that helps farmers when prices
are low and that is based on what producers are doing today. This safety
net is a vital part of the farm bill that must be completed this
year." |