Agricultural News
Wheat Growers President Says Farmers Concerned About Rain, Farm Bill, and Biotech Crops
Wed, 27 Feb 2013 14:45:53 CST
There are a lot of issues on the plates of wheat producers across the state and across the nation. Those issues are being discussed at the Commodity Classic underway in Kissimmee, Florida.
Radio Oklahoma Network Farm Director Ron Hays spoke with Paul Fruendt, president of Oklahoma Wheat Growers, about what are the top concerns of Oklahoma producers. Topping everybody's list, he says, has to be rain. (You can listen to the full conversation by clicking on the LISTEN BAR at the bottom of this story.)
"About a month ago, I was ready to start writing off lots of acres of this crop. But, you know, a lot of things can change in a month and we've been very blessed to get the moisture that we've received. It's come in a very nice way with either snow or sleet or even gentle rain. Even this latest hit here in the last couple of days has been amazing. I'm of the opinion now are acres will continue to maintain themselves and our yield should be within reason. Maybe not a bumper crop yet, but I think we're well within our normal averages."
Following closely behind, Fruend says, is Congressional action-or lack thereof-on a farm bill. He says he does see movement from some quarters in Washington, D.C., and that gives him some measure of hope.
"It does seem like, to me, that we are going to go through the hearing process which is a good sign. I'm continuing to hear that the farm bill is going to be at the forefront, at least for those on the agriculture committee. And, hopefully, we can start seeing some inroads for sure on the House side and actually get a bill through the House floor."
Some Congressmen have said that part of the reason the farm bill is languishing is because there hasn't been a lot of attention paid to it by their constituents. They are just not hearing that it is a front-burner issue with most Americans. Fruend said that while producers in the Southern Plains have been vocal about their difficulties in dealing with the drought, producers in other areas of the country are enjoying good weather and high prices and are not as reliant upon a farm bill right now.
Fruend says that as discussions are underway at the national level among wheat growers, the consensus is emerging that wheat farmers are looking for crop insurance and price supports in any new farm bill.
Even though researchers say the GMOs and biotech wheat are several years away from being commercially available, Fruend says producers are already planning for their introduction. He says a couple of issues that will have to be addressed if these genetically-engineered products are to be successful in the marketplace.
"One is being able to get the message out to the consumer. Ultimately, our product has more of a direct link to consumers than other commodities. And, on top of that, we need to figure out how we're going to navigate this world market that we're in. Once we are able to get a handle on both those items and move the ship forward into those waters, then I think things will move rather quickly. I think the science is there. A lot of the dollars are already being thrown in that direction and we just need to put the pieces together and make it work."
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