[Sustainable-biodiesel] FW: NYTimes.com: As Prices Rise, Farmers Spurn Conservation Program

[John Bonitz]

Friends,

Here is an excellent article on the Conservation Reserve Program, the
environmental benefits, the impacts on food prices, and the debate over it.

NEW YORK TIMES
BUSINESS
April 9, 2008 

The Food Chain: As Prices Rise, Farmers Spurn Conservation Program

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/09/business/09conserve.html?ex=1208491200&en=
3862bf0972e90e58&ei=5070&emc=eta1

By DAVID STREITFELD
Farmers are taking their fields out of a government conservation program
that pays them not to cultivate.


<SNIP>
Among farmers, the notion of early releases from conservation contracts is
prompting sharp disagreement and even anger. The American Soybean
Association is in favor. ³We need more food,² said John Hoffman, the
association¹s president.

The National Association of Wheat Growers is against, saying it believes ³in
the sanctity of contracts.² It does not want more crops to be grown, because
commodity prices might go down.

That is something many of its members say they cannot afford, even with
wheat at a robust $9 a bushel. Their own costs have increased, with diesel
fuel and fertilizer up sharply. ³It would decrease my profit margin, which
is slim,² said Jeff Krehbiel of Hydro, Okla. ³Let¹s hurt the farmer in order
to shut the bakers up, is that what we¹re saying?²

Mr. Krehbiel said his break-even last year was $4 a bushel. This summer it
will be $6.20; the next crop, $7.75.
<endsnip>

------ End of Forwarded Message


~ ~ ~

John Bonitz,
Farm Outreach & Policy Advocate
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
PO Box 1833, Pittsboro, NC  27312
Phone: 919-545-2920
Mobile: 919-360-2492
Email: bonitz at cleanenergy.org
Web: http://www.cleanenergy.org