02/22/06 Ag Outlook 2006

The Annual Ag Outlook Conference held in Washington D.C. is designed to give the thoughts of federal ag officials on how they see the future of farming, ranching, and agribusiness, and trends to keep an eye on. At this year's event held recently, U.S. Ag Secretary Mike Johanns provided his thoughts to a record 1,500 plus farm leaders. Much of what he expressed was similar views he has shared during the winter months after the recent U.S.D.A. Farm Bill Forums. And those views are that American agriculture is changing, and production ag farmers and producers that benefit from existing Farm Bill programs must understand that U.S. ag just doesn't revolve around the corn, soybean, and livestock producer. JOHANNS: They are fearful of a new course for rural America. My heart is on that quarter-section farm back in Iowa. I understand. But I challenge all of us to embrace the future and become actively engaged in Farm Bill discussions. And considering 2006 projected net income for U.S. ag producers will be down twenty-three per cent based on U.S.D.A. estimates, Johanns will need all the input he can get. But he adds he know what his agency won't do. It will not seek to push Congress to re-write the 2002 Farm Bill, nor extend the existing bill, citing it would be a detriment to specialty crop growers. He also says U.S.D.A. will not let the World Trade Organization ag trade reform process write the 2007 Farm Bill nor wait until Congress begins its Farm Bill process to begin offering its suggestions on how to craft the measure. JOHANNS: We will move forward with determination to develop thoughtful farm policy proposals. I will assure you we are not waiting for a resolution in the Doha Round to proposal what we believe is the right course for rural America. Now there were some unexpected views from Johanns during his Ag Outlook speech. One of those was his belief that the U.S.D.A. farm program payment database should be made public. JOHANNS: I think that if you receive payments from the government, its public information. I don't think I'm blazing dramatic new legal ground here. It's just the nature of what we do here. And another that drew the ire of Midwest corn growers was Johanns' view supporting the President's decision to not fund lock and dam upgrades on the Upper Mississippi River in the 2007 proposed fiscal year budget.