Investing in Your Farm’s Future About 5-20 cents/bu

Many grain producers will soon begin the process of putting together their operating budgets for next year. The figures used to estimate production costs will vary considerably by farm and geographic area.  For example, a grain farmer in the northern Red River Valley might budget (per acre) $45 for land rent, $13 for certified seed, $12 herbicide, $1.50 for fungicide, and $17 for fertilizer. 

But it would cost only about 5 to 20 cents per acre to invest in his farm’s future (based on 500 acres of wheat; cost varies by state and would decrease as wheat acreage increases) by supporting his or state grain association with a yearly membership.

Don’t believe for a second that it doesn’t matter having a voice in place to address the policy and political issues that have an incredible impact on the profitability and costs of our grain farms.

As our society becomes more urban, there are fewer lawmakers (state and federal) representing rural issues, which makes having an active association out there to represent us more important as ever. 

When it comes to farm policy, don’t take for granted that what’s been done in the past will continue to happen. For example, who will educate lawmakers that the Environmental Working Group’s website posts a distorted view of federal payments received on your farm? 

As well, during the last farm bill debate, the wheat grower associations did an outstanding job in representing wheat within the commodities title. Believe it or not, debate on a new farm bill is just around the corner.  Who will be there as the voice for the wheat and barley farmer?

Every growing season, you wouldn’t think of putting in a crop of wheat or barley and assume that it will thrive without putting down fertilizer or crop protectants in a timely manner.  As well, don’t assume that policy issues that affect your farm on the state and federal levels will take care of themselves, or that someone else will do it. If we as wheat and barley growers don’t represent our industry, who will?

No one is asking you to travel to your state capitol or Capitol Hill to testify on a bill. Or to meet with the EPA to explain a position on a certain pesticide. Or to write a letter to lawmakers addressing a certain issue.  All we ask is for you to invest a bit of pocket change per acre to support the very organizations and producer leaders who are willing to expend the time and effort to do those very things necessary in representing your grain farm at the state and national level.

Association Perspectives represents the views of the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers, North Dakota Grain Growers Association, Montana Grain Growers Association, and South Dakota Wheat Inc.