Contact: Steve Jones, News Service, (515) 294-4778, [email protected]
SOURCES ON FALLING FARM PRICES, AGRICULTURAL CONCERNS
Falling grain and livestock prices, depressed export markets and severe weather have hurt farm incomes from the northern plains to Texas. To worsen matters, 1996 farm legislation took away the so-called "safety net." Federal payments to farmers, in times of low prices for commodities, are only a fraction of what they were in past years. Below are Iowa State University sources you may want to contact as your news organization covers the farm financial story.
Agricultural finances, business Neil Harl -- Agricultural economist, attorney, (515) 294-6354. Harl, who testified before Congress on this subject in late July, calls this the "era of adjustment." Harl believes marginal farmers will be squeezed out of business because of lower federal farm payments. Harl calls the current situation a throwback to problems in the 1920s. A big question will be, "What's the role of government now?"
Food and agricultural policy for farm income Darnell Smith -- Agricultural economist, (515) 294-2390. Smith is an expert on food and agricultural policies that affect prices and farm incomes.
Livestock prices, consumer meat prices John Lawrence -- Livestock market economist. (515) 294-6290. Lawrence studies the market prices of livestock, particularly cattle and hogs.
Corn, soybean prices Robert Wisner -- Grain market economist. (515) 294-6310. Wisner studies the market prices of grains, particularly corn and soybeans, the Midwest's huge cash crops.
Rural and farm life, rural concerns Paul Lasley -- Rural sociologist. (515) 294-0937. Lasley is an expert on rural life and the issues facing farmers and rural residents. He conducts the annual Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll.
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