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Down farm economy impacting commodity groups

The impact of agriculture’s financial slump is being felt by state commodity groups.

Michael Petefish, newly elected president of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association, says his job probably would’ve been easier a few years ago when corn and soybean prices were higher.

“We’re 100 percent membership-based, and when farmers are struggling they’re not as concerned about being a member.  Or they don’t see the ramifications of some of the political stuff as easily because they’re just looking at the Chicago Board of Trade, the weather and their fields, and their vision kind of narrows.”

He tells Brownfield that narrow focus isn’t necessarily a negative, just something farmers need to do as business owners trying to remain profitable.

“But we also can’t stick our heads in the sand.  So as people tend to focus in on their financial situation, a lot of legislation sometimes gets rammed through because people aren’t paying attention.  And we’re kind of vulnerable right now.”

Petefish says he’ll be interacting with other farmers from the state to keep the Association’s message out there ,and hopes to grow membership.