<b>By ANN HINCH<br>
Assistant Editor</b></p><p>

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The heads of the American Soybean Assoc. (ASA), the National Corn Growers Assoc. (NCGA) and the National Assoc. of Wheat Growers (NAWG) noted how observation of American agriculture is no longer confined only to the United States, thanks to worldwide demand.<br>

“There’s nothing like $20 spring wheat to make people rethink their stance on biotechnology,” said NAWG President John Thaemert during a general session at the Commodity Classic in Nashville on Feb. 29, referring to nations that have traditionally protested the purchase and use of genetically-modified (GMO) crops.<br>

ASA President John Hoffman added that his group has been trying to market biotechnology as positive to European Union (EU) countries, on behalf of its farmer-members. Other ag groups, such as the U.S. Grains Council, has been trying to expand acceptance of GMO crops overseas as well, especially in the EU.<br>

U.S. Farm Report host John Phipps, who moderated the three commodity presidents’ remarks, said, “This year, not only are we farming for ourselves, but the world is watching us.”<br>

Agriculture’s image isn’t only of concern overseas. Hoffman alluded to environmental groups that harbor various objections to the crop and livestock industries. “The environmental community thinks we’re the bad guys,” he said.<br>

“We’ve got to tell the story that agriculture is part of the solution, not the problem,” Thaemert agreed.<br>

NCGA President Ron Litterer, also a hog producer, acknowledged even within agriculture itself there is tension because of high feedstock prices. While costs are high for livestock producers, he believes the situation will eventually turn to their favor. “I think if we get through the next few months, things will look a lot better,” he said.<br>

As for crop growers, Litterer said he thinks local elevators will be taking more grain on basis this year, since farmers won’t want to forward-price as much in a volatile market. Phipps observed while it might be tempting to take advantage of the market to short low contracts in favor of selling stocks higher on cash, he warned such a move might kill good relationships between those farmers and their local elevators.