Does the plight of a grain farmer impact animal producers? And should grain growers be concerned about what's happening in the animal business? The answer today is a resounding "yes!" After all, if the grain used to feed animals is forced to come from countries outside of North America, it will have a sizable economic impact on your business. By the same token, if CAFOs are "run out" of the U.S., grain growers would suffer greatly.

The bad news is that activists would like to create regulations for both environmental and animal rights that would diminish the productive capacity of agriculture. Look no further than "The Future of Food" if you want an example of the work of activists rallying to drive that message home.
See http://www.thefutureoffood.com/synopsis.htm to learn about the activist-led movie premiering this month describing the "disturbing truth behind the unlabeled, patented, genetically engineered foods that have quietly filled U.S. grocery store shelves for the past decade."

The good news for our industry is that we are working together more than in the past. For example, I recently learned grain farmers are making efforts to help livestock producers deal with increased regulations and animosity towards their business. Keep your eye out for more news on the Animal Agriculture Initiative in the U.S., a coalition under development to protect agriculture in the U.S. that's being spearheaded by the United Soybean Board.

While animal agriculture is the number one customer of grain farmers, these two sectors don't always work cooperatively. For example, I've seen crop farmers here in Indiana oppose large dairy operations moving into their area - even when the grain farmers would be the direct beneficiaries of contracts with the new farmers. In addition, research shows that over one quarter of soybean producers are opposed to livestock expansion in their area.

What is it going to take to get agriculture - as a whole - to "lock elbows" and stand strong against our detractors? I realize there are different perspectives on farm size and changes in our industry. Our family farm in Michigan was 400 acres and 60 Holsteins, so I understand the mindset of smaller farms and am not always a personal fan of the "mega operations." However, I also know a good farmer is a good farmer - whether large or small.

Let's dig down within our own industry and find ways to work together to protect the future viability of agriculture. Don't let the anti-agriculture activists drive a stake in and splinter our business; look for ways you can work with agriculturists of all types to "lock elbows" for our industry.

Michele Payn-Knoper founded Cause Matters to help give a voice to the people who feed the world. E-mail newsletter@mpk.info to receive her monthly "MPK Connections" e-newsletter for tools on speaking out for agriculture, selling solutions, and grassroots marketing. See www.mpk.info or call 765.427.4426 for more information.