By Dick Hagen
The Land Staff Writer
— The growing disconnect between agriculture and the non-ag world is stirring up the troops. Recognizing more and more that “if you’re not at the table, you’re likely to be on the menu,” producer groups across the country are going to bat for agriculture.
A good example is Sandy Ludeman, veteran Lyon County hog producer and active member of various commodity groups. In 2005, this family operation known as Saratoga Pork, was one of four national winners in the National Pork Industry & Environment program. At the recent Minnesota Pork Congress, Ludeman took time to “talk agriculture” with The Land. He does this frequently since he is one of more than 700 volunteers across America doing “Operation Main Street” as speakers for the U.S. pork industry. In Question and Answer format below, Ludeman shares some thoughts.
Q: Has agriculture and the U.S. economy finally turned the corner?
Ludeman: Yes, I think it’s happening. Commodity and livestock markets are showing some rebound but we still face some difficulties down the road. A growing worldwide energy crisis, continual unemployment everywhere, and the difficult discussions of cap and trade certainly suggest a lot of uncertainty out there. People just don’t feel confident what direction we’re headed right now. Yet there is some optimism. Land keeps selling fairly well, at least down in our neck of the woods, despite the lower prices of corn and soybeans and the continued pressure on livestock. So I’d call it mixed feelings. Some are optimistic, some aren’t.
Q: Is there a growing disconnect between ag and non-ag people?
Ludeman: Yes, partly because there’s fewer people with rural backgrounds that can even relate to agriculture. I mostly talk to clubs and organizations in small communities so my audiences are still close to agriculture. But getting into larger communities like Marshall I can tell from the questions asked that they often don’t understand modern agriculture. They question why the larger farms, and why the confinement of livestock? Their picture is of the ‘nostalgic days’ of smaller farms with chickens, hogs and cows and no confinement production. Unfortunately this disconnect is only going to widen so it puts more urgency on those of us employed in this industry to tell our story. We do a good job of telling our stories to ourselves, but talking to the urban audience is where we need to be.
Q: Does Operation Main Street provide special training to ‘better tell’ the U.S. ag story?
Ludeman: Yes, I got my training a few years back and today at Pork Congress we had another special training session to update on current issues such as the H1N1 situation, world exports, world and national pork production issues and, of course, some of the political issues. Our state pork office does a great job of providing information. For instance if I’m talking in Cottonwood County, the state office provides me with a printout about the pork industry in Cottonwood County.
Q: Is the food versus feed versus fuel debate still an issue?
Ludeman: It seems most people have accepted the fact that ethanol has become a major player in the U.S. energy scene. Also most folks don’t comprehend the importance of exports to U.S. agriculture. Few realize that Mexico is now the No. 1 importer of U.S. pork. I mention that as China, India, Taiwan and other Asian countries become more industrialized, they too will have significant movement of their people from farm to city. And as those people become more ‘middle income’ people in terms of money to spend for more and better food, it certainly bodes well for American agriculture to be part of that future.
Q: Does your audience ask about environmental issues?
Ludeman: I think these issues will always be around. The recent ruling by Environmental Protection Agency about carbon dioxide emissions and the impact of agriculture certainly raises even more questions. Now the issue is the ‘carbon footprint’ of today’s farming. No one has the answer but it’s easy to do the finger pointing. And that means that the pork industry and agriculture in general needs to be involved in these discussions.
Q: Is organic pork production a growing opportunity?
Ludeman: It continues to be a growing niche market. Some stores, some fast-food chains proclaim to only be buying pork that comes from ‘crate-free’ and antibiotic-free hog operations. So I think it’s here to stay but would question if it can/will move into large-scale hog operations.
Q: When people ask how can younger people get into agriculture, how do you answer?
Ludeman: We jokingly used to say, ‘Marry the right gal, or a special farmer lad’. Today there still are opportunities. But you’re going to have to network more; look at how you might work into an existing operation; or even be a part-timer on a smaller acreage. I see younger people with 10 to 15 years in an industry-related occupation now coming back as part of a bigger family operation. For most this might mean off-farm work for a while also.
Q: Looking at this Pork Congress audience I see lots of younger people.
Ludeman: I believe that’s partly because younger people realize they need to be informed and current on the latest technologies and related issues. So this event becomes a two-day educational workshop for many.
Ludeman was a member of Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s 2004-05 Livestock Advisory Task Force, is past president of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation, past chairman of the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Board and he was founding chairman of the United Soybean Board in 1990-91.
