Good harvest, higher prices help farmers cover higher costs
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
After many farmers in Marion County experienced a less than average harvest in 2005, they generally were pleased with the 2006 harvest.
The three farm co-op organizations which operate in the county incorporate 35 country grain elevators, some in surrounding counties. Altogether, they took in 13,043,000 bushels of wheat.
In addition, many contracted bushels went to large grain terminals outside the area.
Cooperative Grain and Supply and Agri-Producers, Inc. reported an increase in receipts. Mid-Kansas Cooperative reported a decrease, but grain co-ordinator Larry Goerzen said that was due largely to much contracted grain.
The biggest plus for farmers is the price of the crop. Many wheat-growing areas in the southern and central plains suffered from drought and other problems, resulting in a short crop.
The price gradually has increased since early spring with a price Monday at Cooperative Grain and Supply of $4.88.
The current price of wheat, which may move up or down from day to day, reflects a more than 30 percent increase from what is was on June 30, 2005.
Nitrogen fertilizer prices peaked in December due to problems with Hurricane Katrina, but have gradually been coming down. They remain somewhat higher than a year ago.
The biggest negative right now is the price of fuel. Farm diesel and unleaded gasoline are at least 20 percent higher than a year ago.
Of course, other costs such as new machinery and repairs also are higher, along with the price of land.
At the least, the better wheat price is giving producers optimism for the future of their operations.
The following statistics were provided by area cooperatives. They are approximate.
