Global promotion on $850? Not a Chance

Lowell Berntson, Kulm, ND NDGGA President

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Prairie Grains is the
official publication of
the Minnesota
Association of
Wheat Growers,
North Dakota Grain
Growers Association,
South Dakota Wheat,
Inc., and the
Minnesota Barley
Growers Association.

In 1996, I figure I invested $850 in commodity checkoffs. On that, how much do you think I could promote the crops I grew? I might be able to buy a newspaper ad or two. Aside from the money, how do I go about contacting domestic and overseas millers and brewers, to tell them about my wheat and barley? How can I perform and then explain the lab tests needed to promote the quality of my wheat and barley?

You can see that alone, no one producer could go very far in researching and promoting the crops he or she grows. But the combined investment of all ND producers makes a real difference.

The market orientation of the farm bill reinforces the importance of producers determining their own destiny. It’s very clear that it is our responsibility to run the show.

An increase in the wheat and barley checkoff is an important issue to ND farmers. If approved by the legislature, the barley checkoff would increase from a half of a cent to one cent per bushel, and the wheat checkoff would increase from a half of a cent to eight-tenths of a cent per bushel.

I always strive to improve my farm business; the status quo is not acceptable. Growth in sales, increased profitability and efficiency is critical. The work of promotion professionals at the Wheat Commission and the Barley Council is a key component to accomplish my business goals. I rely on them to promote my products, develop markets, research trade issues and production problems. Increased checkoffs will allow the Barley Council and Wheat Commission to grow along with our farm businesses.

As the nation’s number one producer of wheat and barley, we as producers should expect only the best in the research and development programs we fund. It’s unreasonable to expect the markets of the 21st Century to be built on budgets of the 1980s.

January 1997