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Texas Agriculture Archive

March 7, 2003

TFB State Director Don Smith (left) was recently honored with the Hopkins County Agriculturist of the Year award from Brad Johnson, representing Hopkins County Professional Ag Workers Association. (Photo by Ricky Russell, Sulphur Springs News-Telegram)

Peanut base, yield info due

Peanut producers have until March 31 to designate their base acreage and yield information to a farm or farms.

The new farm bill contained a complete overhaul of the peanut program, and this will be the only opportunity peanut producers have to designate their peanut bases and yields.

The quota system established in the 1930s has been replaced in the new farm bill with direct and counter-cyclical payments for eligible peanut producers.

The total peanut acreage and yields designated to a farm will be used for the purpose of issuing 2003 to 2007 direct and, if applicable, counter-cyclical payments.

Because of the implications of designating base and yield information in the new program, Cooperative Extension Economist Kenneth Stokes suggests historic peanut producers and landowners of farms receiving peanut base seek the advice of an attorney well versed in contract law and landlord-tenant relationships before any peanut base assignment.

TFB backs Dewhurst on water issue

Texas Farm Bureau President Kenneth Dierschke has praised Lt. Governor David Dewhurst for requesting a delay on a water permit application that would tie up all of the remaining available water in the San Marcos and Guadalupe rivers.

Dewhurst asked the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to delay action on a water permit application by the San Marcos River Foundation to appropriate up to 1.3 million acre-feet of state water per year from the two rivers, solely to maintain fresh inflow into the Guadalupe Estuary.

"Texas agriculture's water future is under the Commission's authority and it's necessary for the Legislature to consider the Commission's duties and power before a powerful precedent is set," said Texas Farm Bureau President Kenneth Dierschke, a cotton and grain farmer from San Angelo. "We agree with Lt. Governor Dewhurst that Texas water should be allocated for beneficial uses such as agriculture, public water supplies and industrial uses, while protecting the environment."

Dewhurst said he wants the Legislature to clarify TCEQ's authority under Texas water laws. He said he has requested the delay because of the ambiguity of the law.

Farm prospects better in '03

Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman and USDA Chief Economist Keith Collins recently told reporters that they expect an increase in farm income in 2003. They spoke at the USDA's 79th Agricultural Outlook Forum.

Veneman outlined areas that will be key to the continued success of agriculture, including new technologies, stronger food safety measures, expanded risk management tools and the opening of new international markets. Veneman also said that increasing demand for bioproducts and renewable fuels remain important to agriculture. Veneman described the growth in corn production for ethanol as "tremendous."

While bumper crops can be expected if the weather cooperates, Collins tempered the statements with words of caution. While the agriculture economy will be strong overall, there could be a drop in prices. The drop in price may occur because "a rebound in yields and strong competition from traditional and newer competitors will likely cause a pull back in prices," Collins said.

Collins went on to say that if the drought continues out west, then the projections will change.

"The U.S. farm economy caught a cold in 2002, but it is not reeling as we enter 2003. Prospects for 2003 look stronger for many producers, but a boom is not in sight," said Collins.

Notable Quotables

"Our 5 million members want to see normal trade relations with Cuba. The past is the past. It is time to step into the future."

American Farm Bureau Vice President Steve Appel on increasing trade with Cuba. Appel joined nearly 100 U.S. businessmen, state officials and other participants in Havana to talk about opening the market for further trade. Cuba currently imports about $1 billion in food products each year. The U.S. has supplied about $150 million in the past year since some restrictions were eased.