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Efficiency and demand key for growers

A Michigan farmer says efficiency will be key for farmers to survive this downturn in the agriculture economy.

South central Michigan farmer Mark Kies says farmer have to be as efficient as they possibly can be to make a profit.  “We have to get through this,” he says.  “I think it’s a very good time for young people to learn how to become a little more efficient and how use their dollars a little bit better.”

He says some inputs have come down in price, but not enough to offset lower commodity prices.

Kies tells Brownfield increasing demand both domestically and around the globe will give farmers additional opportunity for revenue and provide income stability. “At this point we’ve lost about 40 percent of our income the past couple of years,” he says.  “We need to move the product away from the farm.  Every bushel off our farm that has a home to either ethanol or a trade partner is a big deal.”

Kies says that’s one of the reasons why trade deals, like the Trans-Pacific Partnership, are so important for the agriculture industry.