Ohm added that over the past eight years the United States put its own farmers interests on the back burner in favor of environmentalists, ill-advised foreign trade programs and a lack of knowledge about what agriculture requires to be successful. Over production of many crops hasn t helped prices, Ohm said. The oversupply of grapes, almonds and others drops prices. The almond guys will be OK for a few years but walnut growers will feel the pinch when China starts kicking out walnuts. He pointed out that the Klamuth situation, where farmers and ranchers are receiving no water from government agencies in order to save fish, along with other ag threatening decisions are setting a bad precedent.
Many farmers are on the bubble as far as their ability to make a living is concerned.
A lot of farmers are wondering if they have a future. About Foot and Mouth Disease, Ohm said, If it ever comes over here, it will become a devastating problem. However, he felt confident that if any country has the wherewithal to prevent and control FMD, it s the United States. I don t want to sound too gloomy about agriculture, but it will be challenging for Farm Bureau, farmers and ag in the years ahead, Ohm said.