Growing Forward: The Future of Farming In Iowa examined the impact of the trade war, the stresses of the business and the changing technology, as well as the issue of what happens to the family farm if nobody’s left to work it.
Last week, KWWL, Quincy’s dual NBC-CW affiliate in Waterloo, Iowa, aired an hour-long special on the challenges facing farmers. The special included a live panel discussion that featured Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.
Growing Forward: The Future of Farming In Iowa examined the impact of the trade war, the stresses of the business and the changing technology, as well as the issue of what happens to the family farm if nobody’s left to work it.
Managing the growing size of conventional farms, along with the uncertainties of weather and markets, can cause a huge amount of stress.
Until a few decades ago, a farmer with a few hundred acres was considered to be doing well. Those days have gone and farmers now look at several thousand acres every season. Extra acres mean extra stress.
“A bad year definitely doesn’t do anyone any favors. The big shock absorber to having a bad year is making sure you know your financials,” said Erik Oberbroeckling, a multi-generational Iowa farmer.
“There’s always hiccups. Whether it be a trade issue or the ethanol issue or mother nature throwing a wrench into the system.”
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