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For consumers, is U.S. farmer a friend or a foe

Most Americans’ first introduction to the American farmer is with the small children’s song Old MacDonald Had A Farm. While not an accurate depiction of modern agriculture, the song is, nevertheless, a positive one.

Many books for young children deal with aspects of farm life such as animals and tractors. With grandchildren now arriving at the Truitt household, we are collecting quite a number of children’s books that have farm themes. Yet, the positive image of the American farmer has become a victim of the food vs. fuel debate. Recently I found myself defending not the U.S. food policy but the ethics and integrity of U.S. farmers.

It happened at a family event, the rehearsal dinner for my daughter’s wedding. While getting to know a group of new in-laws, I met one who was head chef at a large resort in Florida. Upon learning I was an agricultural journalist, he immediately asked me why farmers had stopped growing food and were only producing for the ethanol industry.

When I asked where he got such a ridiculous notion, he told me that is what his suppliers had been telling him. It seems when chefs complain about the higher cost of food products, their wholesale suppliers simply blame the American farmer.

Fortunately, I was armed with some new facts, just collected by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC).

As we all know, very little of our corn and soybean crop goes into the food supply. Furthermore, farmers have not stopped growing food crops to grow fuel crops.

I explained to my in-law chef that, while some farmers sell directly to ethanol plants, the majority sell their crops to grain elevators or grain merchandisers and have no idea if their crops wind up as feed or fuel. Thus, the idea that farmers are driving up the cost of food by diverting resources to ethanol is ludicrous.

He then asked, “So who is responsible for the price increase?”
“Oil,” I answered.

In 1998, a barrel of oil cost $9.31. In February, the price of oil reached $100 a barrel. This represents 974 percent increase. As a result, everything that is made with petroleum or transported with petroleum costs more. While the increase in the price of corn has had some impact, it is minuscule compared to the impact of oil.
In terms that chefs can understand: In a grocery bag filled with five common food items totaling $14.47, $2.75 goes back to the farm while $11.22 goes for transportation and marketing.

The big oil and big food industries have been quick to blame the farmer, but the facts just don’t add up. The poultry industry has been especially outspoken in its criticism of ethanol.

Yet, on a dozen eggs costing $107, only 20 cents are accounted for by farm costs. The biggest component in the price of eggs is labor (41 cents per dozen).

Armed with this new information, my in-law chef was ready to confront his suppliers next time they came in to his kitchen blaming the American farmers.

When presented the facts, most Americans will understand. It is important that we defend the integrity and reputation of the American producer. This issue has gone beyond a debate over food and energy policy.

The very character of the American farmer is being questioned. A concerted effort needs to be made to reassure Americans of the good intentions and superior ability of farmers to produce safe, sustainable and economical food, fuel and fiber for our nation and the world. Perhaps we can start by sending some children’s books about life on the farm to members of congress and the media.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Gary Truitt may write to him in care of this publication.

9/24/2008