News

Focusing on efficiency

Finding increased efficiency on the farm is the focus for many at this year’s Commodity Classic. 

Rob Shafer, Illinois farmer and Classic co-chair, says producers are feeling the squeeze of high input costs and low commodity prices.

“If you can save a buck here, or a buck there in today’s economy that is the way it is.”  He says, “We need to save every dollar we can. Because if we don’t, there’s not going to be very many of us left.”

Wisconsin farmer and Wisconsin Soybean Association board member Amber Soltvedt tells Brownfield, “Overall, growers are definitely looking at things with a sharper pencil and maybe thinking twice.”  She says, “Looking at things a little bit harder, where they can find efficiencies, where it will make up dollars in other parts of their operations.”

AUDIO: Amber Soltvedt – Wisconsin farmer

Illinois farmer Ken Franklin says he’s focused on making do with less until the profitability cycle turns around.

“We’re not buying new stuff. We’re turning a lot of wrenches.”  He says, “We’ve invested in land costs to hopefully be there for the next round. And we’ve taken that from a little bit of our fertility budget, a little bit of our machinery budget.”

Brownfield spoke with all three in San Antonio.

AUDIO: Rob Shafer – Illinois farmer