Cyndi's Two Cents

Ag’s future

Commentary.

What does the future hold for agriculture?  Any of you who are in it for the long run, or who have family members farming or involved in the industry in some way, have spent time thinking about this and making plans.  We’ve been told time and again that there are going to be a whole lot more people on this planet by 2050 and that agriculture will need to step up to make sure there’s enough for everyone to eat.

As the population of the world continues to grow, it seems to me the world itself is getting smaller.  In many ways, technology has brought us much closer together.  As people living in developing countries like China and India climb up out of poverty and enter the middle class, they improve their diet and education.

I was invited to attend a forum hosted by Bayer CropScience earlier this month in Frankfurt, Germany. About 200 farmers, agronomists, researchers and other industry representatives from around the world came together to discuss trends, developments and how to address future challenges for corn and soybean farming.  Although each country has challenges specific to its part of the world (Ukrainian farmers are trying to operate in a war-ravaged country, for example) the majority of the concerns are shared globally.

A representative from Argentina told attendees that due to public pressure, farmers in that South American country will need to minimize the impact of farming on the environment.  He said there is increased political regulation and infrastructural problems that need to be addressed.  The Argentine representative told us something else we have heard before:  Consumers want more food, better food, cheaper food.

Despite the fact that 85% of the corn and 95% of the soybeans grown in his country are genetically modified, there is a very negative perception of GMOs in South Africa.  John Purchase, CEO of Agricultural Business Chamber in Pretoria, South Africa told attendees politics and weather are also challenges for South African agriculture.

Calling sustainability a “squishy word” Alexander Doring with the European Feed Manufacturer’s Association said that from a consumer’s perspective, it is “responsible production.”

Economics topped the list of challenges for the American farmers in attendance.  Iowa farmer Roger Zylstra said “Next year will be extremely difficult with high production costs and lower commodity prices.  It will roll through local economies in a big way.”

Farmer Wade Cowan from Texas expects to see a massive turn away from technology in the high plains of Texas.  Not because it’s bad technology, but because it’s simply economically not feasible.

Attendees were in resounding agreement that the biggest long-term challenge for corn and soybean farming is the ability to manage weed and insect resistance. Stephen Powles, Director of Australia’s Herbicide Resistance Initiative said glyphosate is the world’s greatest herbicide.  Never will we see another chemical so good.  It’s a one in 100 year discovery.

“It’s right up there with penicillin,” he said.  “Yet, we are squandering it.”

University of Illinois Weed Scientist Aaron Hager said, “Round-up Ready isn’t ready anymore. We need diversity.  We need to come up with a more sustainable system.”

Hager said in the future, with integrated systems “We’re not going to pour the solution from a jug.”

Bayer CropScience is listening.  Mathias Kremer, head of strategy told attendees they are looking for    holistic, integrated solutions and investing $1billion Euros in research and development.

In case you were wondering, that’s $1,243,240,000.00 in U.S. dollars.