11/30/07 Wheat growers concerned about farm bill

Washington Ag November 30, 2007 Despite the current record high wheat prices the failure so far of Congress to pass a new farm bill is of concern to wheat growers attending the Pacific Northwest Grains Conference in Spokane. Ron Jirva of Ritzville is one of them. Jirva: "We seen these prices go up to where they are, which is just astronomical but we have also had our input costs go up astronomical and there is nothing in place that doesn't say that that price of wheat can't drop back down to that 20 year average of $3.80." Washington Association of Wheat Growers National Legislation Committee Chairman Jerry Snyder echoes Jirva. Snyder: "I worry about the farm bill because nobody is really concerned about a safety net yet. And should we drop back in two years to $3.50 wheat at $500 a ton for fertilizer, you know where are we going to be?" Another Ritzville area producer, Allen Koch, is concerned the American public doesn't know how important it is to keep American agriculture viable. Koch: "Maybe if we do run out of wheat or some classes of wheat before next harvest in the United States it will come to light we better pay attention in the United States." Some analysts estimate the U.S. will have a record low 65 day supply of wheat by next June 1st, maybe even lower. I'm Bob Hoff.