01/28/09 Ag for 2009

Storyline in the Capital Press: A weak economy, declining herds, wildly fluctuating currency exchange rates and the loss of key markets overseas have made for uncertain times in the cattle industry at the start of 2009. Headline: Idaho Statesman: Idaho Lawmakers Get an Earful of Bad Economic News and agriculture revenue is part of that., So why does farming take a hit, people still have to eat. " You're absolutely right, people still have to eat but they are changing their habits. Instead of going out and buying the higher end type items, they're staying home and eating some of the comfort foods and those are the indulgences that they have right now." That's Celia Gould, Director, Idaho State Dept. of Ag. And thoughts on beef. (Gould) "It looks like it's going to be a pretty tough year for beef producers. The consumption is just down for some of the higher end cuts and restaurant trade is way off with the economy being what it is. We're concerned about what we're seeing for milk prices for the coming year." Is there any hope? (Gould) "Hope is not a good business strategy but we are very hopeful that things will start turning around. Potatoes are really holding their own. 4 years in a row the potato crop revenues have gone up. I think of all the segments of the economy right now, I'd rather be in agriculture than anything else."