Predictions vary for future of Republican River valley farming

By LORRI SUGHROUE

McCook Daily Gazette

Farming in the Republican River Basin 30 years from now will either be drastically different or basically the same using different methods, according to two life-long farmers from Kansas and Colorado.

Bob Martin from Kansas and Alan Welp of Colorado gave their predictions as part of the Republican River Riparian Partnership conference Tuesday in McCook.

Martin foresaw multi-national companies controlling agriculture in the future, with farmers contracted with companies to produce crops. Businesses would contract with the farmer to grow a crop using its line of fertilizer, chemicals and other resources and buy the produce if it met specifications.

He gave the example of ethanol, with the cost of producing so high that it would be contracted out.

Property ownership would also change, he said. "Big money" will purchase property adjoining stream corridors at any price, he said, just for the hunting and recreation rights.

"Cheap dollars held by foreign interests will purchase land just to get rid of the dollars and put them back in this country," Martin predicted.

He also believed that irrigation will also probably be phased out of the Great Plains area. He pointed to urban needs along the front range and downstream that could force the federal government to take control of water, especially if local government and states can't compromise.

Weather modification will play a major role in the future, he added, with various projects under way around the world.

Despite the changes, Martin remained optimistic about the viability of Republican River Basin.

"If everyone will do something nice for the earth, our problems will change," he concluded.

Production and business strategies will be redefined in the future, but that's nothing new to the farming industry, Welp said.

The Colorado farmer said those who farm in the future won't be the first or the last to adapt to the changing conditions in the Republican River Basin.

"Resourceful farmers and community members will achieve compliance and conserve water to protect our heritage and our future," said Welp, who anticipates more involvement with government and state agencies.

With more involvement will come a shift from production and marketing to becoming more politically involved, Welp said. Closer relationships with government agencies will allow more involvement with rule making, he said.

And, farmers will still be irrigating in the future, he said, but probably will be doing it differently than now.

Water conservation methods will be fine-tuned, resulting in slower depletions from the aquifer, using new technologies, programs and incentives.

Irrigation will continue in the basin, he said, but be revised.

After all, he said, "We're doing it differently than what our fathers did 30 years ago."

Also giving a presentation was Aaron Thompson, on the Bureau of Reclamation's role in the basin.

The bureau will continue to work with irrigation districts, natural resources districts and the state so projects are viable and that compliance is met, he said.

"We need to find that balance by working together," Thompson said.