2019 Spring Farm Outlook

Page 6 2019 Logan County Farm Outlook Magazine Lincoln Daily News March 21, 2019 After it leaves the field, a product then goes to feed animals, some is used for human consumption, some for energy uses such as ethanol blended fuel or biodiesel, and (tongue in cheek after the Superbowl flap over corn syrup in brewing beer) even to produce adult beverages. Agriculture has seen an accelerated amount of change in recent years. Technology abounds in seed genetics, equipment, developing uses for product, and fully utilizing the entire crop. The once labor intensive farm now relies on more technology and less labor. Another change is who is doing the farming. The average age of producers continues to climb, and the number of women in agriculture also continues to climb. In many cases, technology has leveled the playing field for the once back-breaking tasks associated with farming. Most producers no longer carry 100 pound bags of fertilizer to load into application equipment! Commodity organizations, universities, and companies all continue to put their best foot forward to bring new innovations to the marketplace, and make agriculture more efficient. With profitability of agriculture in a bit of a decline, companies are also feeling the pinch. In the seed industry, this has led to consolidation by merger and buyout. Thus, we have less available genetic sources available. One new soybean trait recently approved was Enlist soybeans, offering another option for broadleaf weed control in soybeans. It’s an option just as are many of the other programs. Of course there is also some return to mechanical control, different crop rotations, and use of cover crops. Choice is one of the great things about agricultural production, and why many producers choose agriculture as their life’s work. As spring continues to head our way, optimism once again is seen among those in the agriculture industry. There really isn’t any feeling quite like seeing all of the planning come to fruition as we start the cycle again with putting the seed in the ground. Have a great spring, and be safe in the fields and on the roads!