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Lester Spell, Jr. , D.V.M., Commissioner

Farm Bureau June 16, 2008. Lester Spell, Jr. , D.V.M., Commissioner. Statewide $ 6.4 Billion farm value $ 26 Billion economic impact Employs 1 out of 4 citizens, either directly or indirectly Over 42,000 farms Over 11 million acres of farm land 18 million acres in forest land.

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Lester Spell, Jr. , D.V.M., Commissioner

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  1. Farm Bureau June 16, 2008 Lester Spell, Jr., D.V.M., Commissioner

  2. Statewide • $6.4 Billionfarm value • $26 Billioneconomic impact • Employs 1 out of 4 citizens, either directly or indirectly • Over 42,000 farms • Over 11 million acres of farm land • 18 million acres in forest land

  3. Mississippi’s Top 5 Commodities Source: Mississippi State University

  4. Mississippi Historical Crop Data Source: Chicago Board of Trade

  5. Shared Concerns of Agriculture That Impact all Americans

  6. Shared Concerns of Agriculture • Farm Bill • Diseases and Pests • Increased Farm Input Cost • Energy Needs • Safe Food • Extremists • Labor • Truth about Increased Food Costs

  7. 1. Farm Bill • 1 – 3 years • Country of Origin Labels • Permanent Disaster Provision

  8. 2. Diseases and Pests • BSE (Mad Cow) • Avian Flu • Cogongrass and Soybean Rust

  9. COGONGRASS -Chokes out native vegetation -Changes natural habitat -Creates fire hazard -Threatens endangered species - Expensive to Control

  10. Distribution of Cogongrass In US

  11. Cogongrass Control Demonstration Program has been operating 5 years • 10,200 acres of cogongrass has been treated. • 1,086 landowners have been provided herbicides. • Have over 400 landowners on a waiting list for assistance with herbicides. • Cogongrass has been found in 63 of our 82 counties.

  12. SOYBEAN RUSTPhakopsora pachyrhizi

  13. Soybean Rust Observation - 2008

  14. Soybean Pod Borer Soybean Rust Survey statewide ~30 S.M.A.R.T Fields(Soybean Management with Applied Research &Technology) Soybean Sentinel Plots May through September Weekly surveys Soybean Pest SurveyDr. Billy Moore and Dr. Jim Hamer

  15. 3. Increased Farm Input Costs

  16. 3. Increased Farm Input Costs Source: The Delta Council

  17. 3. Increased Farm Input Costs • “Monsanto profit jumps, raises 2008 forecast” – Reuters, January 3, 2008 • Agricultural company Monsanto Company said on Thursday its quarterly profit nearly tripled, helped by strength in its corn seed and herbicide businesses, and raised its 2008 forecast. • Net income rose to $256 million, or 46 cents per share, in the first quarter ended November 30 from $90 million, or 16 cents per share, a year earlier.

  18. 4. Energy Needs • 1970s Oil Embargo – We learned nothing • Middle class Americans pay 15.26% of income for gasoline • 90% of world’s oil owned by different governments • Use all energy resources available • Wind • Coal - Lignite • Ethanol (various sources) • Biodiesel (various sources) • Water • Nuclear (1978) • Solar • Natural gas • Fossil Fuels (CO2 Recovery Offshore Alaska)

  19. 5. Safe Food • Food trace back (Farm and animal ID) • BSE (Mad Cow) • Hamburger recalls • Spinach • Tomato

  20. 6. Extremists • Timber harvest • Horse slaughter for human consumption • Meat animal production and poultry • Livestock shows/rodeos

  21. 7. Labor • Adequate legal labor force essential – Approx. 70% of Ag workforce undocumented workers • Need universal personal identification that cannot be counterfeited • Border security

  22. 8. Truth About Increased Food Costs • “General Mills profit jumps on sales rise” - USA Today, March 28, 2008 • General Mills Inc. said its profit climbed 61 percent in the third quarter as strong demand and higher prices led to a big rise in sales. • The earnings for the maker of Cheerios and Wheaties cereals were above Wall Street expectations……

  23. 8. Truth About Increased Food Costs • “Sales lift Kellog” – The Associated Press, October 29, 2007 • The world's leading cereal producer earned US $305 million, or 76 cents per share, in the July-September period, up from $281 million, or 70 cents per share, a year earlier.

  24. Farmer’s Share of Retail Food Dollar Farmers Share of Retail Food Dollar Source: USDA/NASS

  25. “Heaven help the nation that does not have him (the farmer) to support it.”- Paul Harvey

  26. Visit Us Onlinewww.mdac.state.ms.us PH6 0 1 . 3 5 9 . 1 1 0 0

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