Lester Spell, Jr., D.V.M., Commissioner
Farm BureauJune 16, 2008
Statewide
• $$6.4 Billion6.4 Billion farm valuefarm value
• $$26 Billion26 Billion economic impacteconomic impact
• Employs 1 out of 4 citizens, either directly Employs 1 out of 4 citizens, either directly or indirectlyor indirectly
• Over 42,000 farmsOver 42,000 farms
• Over 11 million acres of farm landOver 11 million acres of farm land
• 18 million acres in forest land18 million acres in forest land
Mississippi’s Top 5 CommoditiesMississippi’s Top 5 Commodities
Source: Mississippi State University
Field Crops
2006
Acres Planted
2008
Acres Planted
Wheat 85k 450k
Rice 190k 180k
Corn 340k 670k
Cotton 1,230k 420k
Soybeans 1,670k 2,050k
Mississippi Historical Crop Data
Source: Chicago Board of Trade
Shared Concerns of AgricultureShared Concerns of AgricultureThat That Impact all Americans
1. Farm Bill
2. Diseases and Pests
3. Increased Farm Input Cost
4. Energy Needs
5. Safe Food
6. Extremists
7. Labor
8. Truth about Increased Food Costs
Shared Concerns of AgricultureShared Concerns of Agriculture
1 – 3 years
Country of Origin Labels
Permanent Disaster Provision
1. Farm Bill1. Farm Bill
BSE (Mad Cow)
Avian Flu
Cogongrass and Soybean Rust
2. Diseases and Pests2. Diseases and Pests
-Chokes out native vegetation
-Changes natural habitat
-Creates fire hazard
-Threatens endangered species
- Expensive to Control
COGONGRASSCOGONGRASS
Distribution of Cogongrass In USDistribution of Cogongrass In US
Cogongrass Control Demonstration Program has been operating 5 yearsCogongrass Control Demonstration Program has been operating 5 years
10,200 acres of cogongrass has been treated.
1,086 landowners have been provided
herbicides.
Have over 400 landowners on a waiting list for
assistance with herbicides.
Cogongrass has been found in 63 of our 82
counties.
SOYBEAN RUSTPhakopsora pachyrhizi
Soybean Rust Observation - 2008
Soybean Pest SurveyDr. Billy Moore and Dr. Jim Hamer
• Soybean Pod Borer• Soybean Rust
• Survey statewide • ~30 S.M.A.R.T Fields (Soybean
Management with Applied Research &Technology)
• Soybean Sentinel Plots
• May through September
• Weekly surveys
3. Increased Farm Input 3. Increased Farm Input CostsCosts
Diesel Prices Since Hurricane Katrina
$0.00
$1.00
$2.00
$3.00
$4.00
$5.00
Aug-0
5
Nov-05
Feb-0
6
May
-06
Aug-0
6
Nov-06
Feb-0
7
May
-07
Aug-0
7
Nov-07
Feb-0
8
May
-08
Month/Year
Val
ue
Input Cost Analysis 2006 2008
Diesel/Gallon $2.26 $4.50
Fertilizer/TonNsol $218 $370
Urea $305 $680
Cottonseed/Bag (including technology fees) $461.95 $472.10
Generic Glyphosate (4lbs. Per Gallon) $13.75 $30.75
Brand Glyphosate (6lbs. Per Gallon) $16 $53.00
3. Increased Farm Input Costs3. Increased Farm Input Costs3. Increased Farm Input Costs3. Increased Farm Input Costs
Source: The Delta Council
• “Monsanto profit jumps, raises 2008 forecast”– Reuters, January 3, 2008
• Agricultural company Monsanto Company said on Thursday its quarterly profit nearly tripled, helped by strength in its corn seed and herbicide businesses, and raised its 2008 forecast.
• Net income rose to $256 million, or 46 cents per share, in the first quarter ended November 30 from $90 million, or 16 cents per share, a year earlier.
3. Increased Farm Input Costs3. Increased Farm Input Costs
1970s Oil Embargo – We learned nothing
Middle class Americans pay 15.26% of income for gasoline
90% of world’s oil owned by different governments
Use all energy resources available• Wind• Coal - Lignite• Ethanol (various sources)• Biodiesel (various sources)• Water• Nuclear (1978)• Solar• Natural gas• Fossil Fuels (CO2 Recovery Offshore Alaska)
4. Energy Needs4. Energy Needs
Food trace back (Farm and animal ID)
• BSE (Mad Cow)
• Hamburger recalls
• Spinach
• Tomato
5. Safe Food5. Safe Food
• Timber harvest
• Horse slaughter for human consumption
• Meat animal production and poultry
• Livestock shows/rodeos
6. Extremists6. Extremists
• Adequate legal labor force essential – Approx. 70% of Ag workforce undocumented workers
• Need universal personal identification that cannot be counterfeited
• Border security
7. Labor7. Labor
8. Truth About Increased Food 8. Truth About Increased Food CostsCosts
“General Mills profit jumps on sales rise” - USA Today, March 28, 2008
• General Mills Inc. said its profit climbed 61 percent in the third quarter as strong demand and higher prices led to a big rise in sales.
• The earnings for the maker of Cheerios and Wheaties cereals were above Wall Street expectations……
8. Truth About Increased Food 8. Truth About Increased Food CostsCosts
• “Sales lift Kellog”– The Associated Press, October 29, 2007
• The world's leading cereal producer earned US $305 million, or 76 cents per share, in the July-September period, up from $281 million, or 70 cents per share, a year earlier.
Farmers Share of Retail Food Dollar
Product Retail Price Farmer’s ShareMulti-Purpose Flour (5lbs.) $2.89 $1.05
Bread (Wonder, 1 lb. loaf) $2.79 $0.21
Wheaties, (15 oz.) $4.95 $0.16
Beer, Miller Lite, 6 pack $5.05 $0.11
Soda (Corn) 2 liter cola $1.49 $0.09
Milk ( 1 gallon, fat free) $4.48 $1.44
Potatoes ( Russet, 10 lbs.) $3.29 $0.88
Potato Chips (Lays Classic 13.5 oz) $3.29 $0.08
Cheddar Cheese (1 lb) $5.49 $1.76
Boneless Ham ( Per lb) $4.29 $0.41
Bacon ( 1 lb.) $3.29 $0.41
Top Sirloin Steak (1 lb.) $7.99 $0.85
Eggs (1 doz. AA-L) $3.99 $1.03
Carrots (fresh. 2 lbs.) $1.89 $0.52
Lettuce (head, 2 lbs.) $1.79 $0.42
Farmer’s Share of Retail Food DollarFarmer’s Share of Retail Food Dollar
Source: USDA/NASS
““Heaven help the nation that Heaven help the nation that does not have him does not have him (the farmer)(the farmer)
to support it.”to support it.”
- Paul Harvey- Paul Harvey
““Heaven help the nation that Heaven help the nation that does not have him does not have him (the farmer)(the farmer)
to support it.”to support it.”
- Paul Harvey- Paul Harvey
Visit Us Onlinewww.mdac.state.ms.us
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