The farmer's share

Dear Editor,

March 16 to 22 is National Agriculture Week. It's an annual celebration of the important contributions farmers and rancher make to the U.S. and the world -- the most important being the food that sustains us all.

Grocery shoppers know well that retail food prices are higher than a year ago. Most of this increase is caused by higher energy costs but there have been media reports that imply farmers are pocketing the increase. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, farmers and ranchers receive an average of only 19 cents of every $1 consumers spend for groceries and restaurant meals.

The other 81 cents, less a penny for profit, farmers and ranchers use their share of the "food dollar" to pay for feed for livestock, inputs for crops, fuel, machinery, veterinary and other services, interst, taxes, labor and more. In fact, the economic activitiy from growing crops and livestock creates a job for one out of every three Nebraskans.

Agriculture is Nebraska's number one industry and one of its greatest strengths. During National Agriculture Week, and throughout the year, please join farmers and ranchers in celebrating this blessing we all share.

Sincerely,

Susan Ladenburger,

director, Nebraska Farm Bureau State Board

Hitchcock County Farm Bureau