2001 Wheat Looking Good

Our tenant's new wheat field was planted last December. It is growing nicely, with a very good stand, minimal weed competition and no insect problems yet. The prospective wheat price is about the same as last year's.

Low Prices, Higher Energy and Labor Costs Force Changes

The 2001 California farm economy is plagued with a dangerous combination of low commodity prices, high energy costs and high labor costs. To counter these problems, our tenant is making significant changes to his farm practices. The biggest change is the planting of Roundup ready Acala cotton. This cotton resists the effects of the direct application of Roundup systemic herbicide, allowing both a savings in labor usage as well as a much more weed-free growing environment.

Another important change will be the way electricity is used to pump water from the irrigation well. Much greater attention will be paid to the peak/off peak price structure that makes electricity used between 12 noon and 6 P.M. much more expensive than electricity used during the rest of the day. This will make the task of irrigating the fields more difficult, but the cost savings are becoming so large that they now take priority over any other concerns not directly related to the progress of the crops.

Unfortunately, the dismal commodity prices are quite beyond the control of any individual farmer.

Why They Farm

At times like this, the casual observer must be wondering, "Why do they even bother farming? There's nothing in it for them but hard work." Well, that isn't true. Even during the bleakest times for California's farmers, they can watch coyotes roaming through their fields, red tailed hawks circling while hunting for mice, and beautiful skyscapes like this.

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Robert Sturgeon
Publisher, Editor, Reporter, Ace Photographer, Newsroom Flunky, Webmaster
rsturge@inreach.com
http://www.vistech.net/users/rsturge