Farmers are already looking for financing for this year s crop and they need these additional payments to assure the lender that they can cash flow, he says. The sad reality remains that government assistance will, once again, mean the difference between remaining in farming or going out of business, the letter states. Odom says low prices will be compounded this year by rising costs for energy, fertilizer and general operations. Farmers are facing a dismal outlook in 2001, but we re going to keep fighting on their behalf, Odom vows. I was elected by the people to look out for the best interests of our Louisiana farmers, and I promise to continue doing that.
People have to realize that family farms are the backbone of Louisiana and the nation.
We just can t function without them.