Dangers of Complacency

Like many Iowans, I was relieved to see the completion of the Iowa caucus process. The number of phone calls and mailings from the various campaigns was more than a bit irritating. Although I am proud that Iowans get to play this important role in selecting our presidential candidates, it was good to have a little peace and quiet after the candidates moved on to other states.

However, when you look back at the months and months of campaign stops and speeches, those of us in agriculture must be more than a little concerned by the almost complete silence regarding agriculture and ag policy. The Iowa Soybean Association was able to get two of the Republican candidates to accept our invitation to “meet” with our members via live telephone town hall forums, but the other candidates couldn’t find the time.

Let me suggest that the reason for this lack of focus is that many policy makers have become complacent regarding this important sector of the US economy. By nearly every measure, this is a great time for American agriculture. Demand is strong for nearly all crops and livestock. Prices are historically high and income for farmers are at levels most have never seen before. Government expenditures under the Farm Bill have fallen dramatically as more profits have been garnered by the marketplace.

As many farmers have shared with me, the danger with this complacency is that it ignores longer term challenges. Too often, good times in agriculture are followed by leaner times. Will we be prepared for these challenges? Will the new Farm Bill give us the necessary tools to manage these challenges?

I am also concerned that agricultural organizations, including ISA, may become complacent. Your soybean organization has doubled in revenues in the last few years. Although led by increases in checkoff collections, the growth has been nearly as dramatic in non checkoff areas. We have expanded our staff and the reach of our programs. We have launched new initiatives and have joined others in delivering important and meaningful results for soybean farmers across the country.

But will we be prepared when prices fall (and they will), when input costs escalate (and they have and will) and when growth in demand slows down (and it may)? Likewise, will ISA be prepared when our revenues fall (and they will), when our operating costs escalate (and they have and will) and when the needs of farmers change (and they will)?

I don’t believe it is a stretch to say that the danger of complacency is the most pressing issue for agriculture. The need for continuous improvement has never been greater – for farmers, for the Iowa Soybean Association, and for the entire US agricultural industry.