During last week’s annual American Agricultural Editors’ Association Ag Media Summit in Fort Worth, Texas, former Texas Congressman Charlie Stenholm and Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh of K-State’s Ag. Economics Department debated four issues of importance to agriculture. Southwest Farm Press all week has been running a four part series over the two men’s views on this issues.
The first issue looked at the importance of renewable fuel and climate change issues being considered together. To view this article by Ron Smith, click here. According to Dr. Flinchbaugh,
the issue should be renewable fuels and climate change, not food versus fuel. “Have a little faith in the scientific community. By 2012 or 2015 we will see 300 bushel per acre corn. That will happen.”Neither man believes the Senate will pass the House’s version of climate change legislation. But according to Stenholm,
the Senate will not have 60 votes to pass the House version of the climate change bill. “But they will pass something. They know they need to do something about carbon.”The second issued focused on international trade. To view the article by Ron Smith, click here. Both men agree that U.S. farmers will benefit from completion of trade agreements. According to Steinholm,
open trade is a better option and a more reachable goal than free trade. “I’m hopeful that congress will approve (bi-lateral) agreements with Panama and Columbia and set the pattern to get WTO done. We need an agreement. It will be in our best interest.”The third issue focused on future farm bills. To view the article by Ron Smith, click here. According to the article, “The two agreed that agriculture will remain a key issue for the U.S. government but were less certain that farm subsidies would continue to be as integral a part of farm legislation.” Both men appear to agree that preserving direct payments will be difficult. Finally, former Congressman Stenholm focused on the increasing importance of animal welfare and rights.
Stenholm said animal rights and animal welfare issues will become increasingly important in farm legislation.“We face the PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) approach versus an animal husbandry approach. It’s an emotional issue and it’s difficult to be on the other side. PETA claims the political high ground.”Stenholm said Ohio has taken a promising approach to animal health and welfare by putting the issue into the hands of people who understand animal husbandry. “And PETA will have a place on the board.”
The fourth issue is cultural wars inside farm country. To view the article by Ron Smith, click here. One of the culture war is between conventional agriculture and organic agriculture. According to Flinchbaugh,
"It’s a stupid argument,” Flinchbaugh said. “One-third of the world is hungry or malnourished. Conventional agriculture will feed the world and a world without hunger is a world without terrorism."Both men agree conventional agriculture will feed the world. According to Stenholm,
"When I was in Congress I used to oppose organic agriculture,” Stenholm said. “I could not see how organic production could feed the world. But it occurred to me that organic farmers are making good money so why would I oppose that. But organics is a niche market.”Flinchbaugh pointed out that the President agreed that organics are for local markets and conventional agriculture will feed the world.
The other culture war is the partisanship in Congress. According to the article,
“They both said partisanship is the worst they’ve ever seen. It’s even invaded agriculture. “The House and Senate have always put farmers first but cracks in that (coalition) seem to be coming,” Flinchbaugh said. “That scares the hell out of me.”Both talked about the levels of current spending and what needs to be done to reduce the deficit.
For more on this debate, click here to view an article by Drovers.com covering the debate between the two men.
Posted: 08/14/09
