Out of Gas & Reacting to Food Prices

Out of Gas & Reacting to Food Prices plus Food Forethought. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

A new poll released by the Center for Food Integrity indicates consumers are coping with the rising cost of food by changing their shopping behaviors - clipping coupons, buying generic brands or shopping at discount or warehouse stores. Iowa State University Economics Professor Dr. Helen Jensen says the blame shouldn’t be laid on farmers.

JENSEN: It’s not so much blaming farmers as is maybe some recognition of the higher priced commodities, corn being used for energy. If there’s blame I don’t think it’s figuring that the farmers are trying to get at consumers but a bit of a frustration with not fully understanding the source of some of the change of food prices - what’s behind it.

Running out of gas used to be an excuse guys used to get a girl alone, out in the boonies but now with the price of gasoline hovering around the $4 a gallon mark a lot of drivers are taking their chances with not filling up. AAA reports that calls from drivers who have run out of gas are up 25% since last year. Many drivers are simply taking a “wait and see” attitude when it comes to filling up. Officials remind drivers that it’s not good for your vehicle to run the tank completely dry. Most sources recommend not letting your tank dip much below half.

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

When someone goes to great lengths to assure you that you have nothing to worry about, you can be darn sure you probably do. Many agricultural groups and even several members of Congress have come to the same conclusion in regards to Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lisa Jackson’s statements issuing that the EPA has no intention of regulating farm dust. Her most recent statement given to farmers in Iowa this past week where she was quoted as saying, “Right now I would say folks have nothing to worry about, right now, with respect to dust,” is exactly what gives ag groups reason to worry. The mere repetition of the two words, “right now”, gives every indication that the EPA does indeed intend to regulate farm dust in the not too distant future. With dust being an unavoidable and natural part of farming its no wonder that farmers are fearful of stricter dust exposure standards and the costly federal regulations that would go along with them. Efforts for a healthy environment are commendable, but not at the expense of common sense. Only time will tell if common sense will have any influence in the EPA’s decision.

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