Having the Cash & Extremely Engaged

Having the Cash & Extremely Engaged plus Food Forethought. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

Farming takes money. And with the economy bottoming out how will farmers and ranchers be able to continue to provide the goods? Jason Henderson, Vice President with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, saying most farmers should have access to credit this spring.

HENDERSON: Economic prospects for the rural economy have dimmed and raised concerns about the ability of credit for agricultural enterprises. Delinquency rates and credit standards have tightened on agricultural loans. While agricultural borrowers are being asked to accept more of the financial risk emerging from a volatile agricultural environment, credit remains available for credit worthy borrowers.

WTO Director General Pascal Lamy told Reuters that President Barack Obama has been – extremely engaged – in WTO negotiations. Lamy also said, - my sense is that the overall stance of the United States is the right one. He added, - we are not there yet and I understand the U.S. needs some time to weigh up what is on the table. During the G20 summit, the world economic leaders agreed to try to “kickstart” trade liberalization talks at G8's next meeting in July. President Obama backed the move. The major emerging nations, notably India, Brazil, China and South Africa, will also be invited to the G8 summit in Italy.

Now with today’s Food Forethought, here’s Lacy Gray.

Growing up in a small mid-western farm community you become accustomed to certain sights and smells that go along with the changing crop seasons. One of the most recognizable is the smell of field burning. I myself actually like the smell, perhaps because it brings back warm memories of the close knit farming town of my youth.  I am it seems one of a small minority who feels that way. The public cry to ban field burning is growing ever louder and more persistent. Several state legislatures are considering bills that would ban field burning, a needed agriculture practice. Those who are in favor of banning field burning site several reasons; the utmost being health reasons, stating exposure to heavy concentrations of field smoke can be harmful to persons with lung conditions. I don’t know about you, but if I did suffer with a lung condition I think I would have the wherewithal not to be standing next to a burning field. As with most of the debated issues being brought up before state and federal legislature, a personal choice is involved. With the issue of field burning, if you have asthma, choose to stay away from burning fields.

Thanks Lacy. That’s today’s Northwest Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.