May 12, 2020

What's the outlook for agriculture?

Topic: Issues

May 12, 2020: 2019 was not kind to agriculture. 2020 is not looking much better. But even in unprecedented times, we can enjoy the beauty of the world around us.

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What is the outlook for the remainder of 2020 in regard to agriculture? This is a question I have been getting a lot lately. Members. Non-members. Farmers, ranchers, consumers, are all asking, “What lies ahead?”

It’s hard to say. These are unprecedented times that we’re in. But one thing’s for sure: farmers and ranchers are proceeding to continue to grow the food that our state and nation needs.

Yes, we’re in that busy time of the year. Planting season, finishing up calving – some folks maybe just starting to calve – looking at moving cows out to grass. Some are still trying to figure out how to harvest the 2019 crop.

Yeah, it’s unprecedented times. It was unprecedented times for agriculture in 2019. And it continued and got even more unprecedented in 2020. So, I’d like to take just a minute and remind everyone, there’s probably going to be more people just taking a leisurely drive out in the countryside when events are being canceled and things aren’t completely opened up in towns. Remember, our farmers and ranchers are moving a lot of equipment – heavy equipment – trucks, tractors, and sometimes combines yet this spring. So just be cautious. Take a little extra time. Don’t rush.

And to our farmer and rancher friends out there, remember to keep your eyes open.

Because we do enjoy sharing the beauty we live amongst out here in the countryside, so everyone needs to be a little more cautious.

At NDFB, we hope everyone has a safe, productive spring. And remember, to take your time. Enjoy those simple things in life at this time, because the beauty of nature is still a constant. That has not become unprecedented. It still is a wonder of what God gave us to manage here on earth.