The views and opinions expressed in this editorial article are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of Salina Post or Eagle Media. The editorial is intended to stimulate critical thinking and debate on issues of public interest and should be read with an open mind. Readers are encouraged to consider multiple sources of information and to form their own informed opinions.
By: SCOTT HILL
24th District Kansas Senator
If you have driven by your local grain elevator in the last couple of weeks you may have noticed an increased activity of heavy-duty trucks with grain trailers attached. Corn harvest is well underway with some soybeans being harvested as well. It is easy to overlook the importance of agriculture in our state and nation, as the number of fulltime farmers has declined in Kansas to just over 41,000 farmers. This comprises only 1.4% of the population of our state. However, agriculture is the largest economic driver in Kansas according to the Wheat Commission. Agriculture contributed $62B or 43% of the state’s economy.
We all know that our state leads the nation in wheat production in most years, but did you know that Kansas is a leading producer of several other products as well. The largest sector of agriculture in the Sunflower State is actually the cattle industry with sales ten times greater than wheat. While there are six states that have more cattle than Kansas, the cattle feeding industry is the third largest in the United States. We export more beef than any other state. In a similar manner corn production is greater in our state than wheat, nearly doubling the total value produced. Additionally, Kansas is the leading producer of grain sorghum in the United States.
Even though agriculture is the backbone of our state’s economy, the health of agriculture is not good. Restrictive policies and over regulation along with falling exports have positioned all of agriculture, and particularly Kansas, in a perilous situation. Decreases in farm income and increases in debt have resulted in a crisis that has not been experienced since the 1980’s when land values plummeted and farm bankruptcies were a common occurrence. We are at a critical juncture in agriculture and only two key factors are preventing total collapse. Interest rates are in a manageable range which has enabled farmers to continue to operate for the most part in a cash flow position that prevents foreclosures. The second factor that has been favorable, especially to Kansas farmers, is the historic strength in the cattle industry. Strong demand for quality beef worldwide, and a historically small cow herd in the United States, has profited those involved in cattle production.
As a Senator in the strong agriculture region of central Kansas I am especially interested in policy that will prevent an agricultural collapse like we lived through in the 1980’s. Federal policy that improves exports of agricultural products, especially soybeans and grain sorghum, would have a long-term positive influence on Kansas farmers. The expansion of value-added industries could also be a game changer for a struggling farm economy. The use of ethanol provided an additional market for grain products over the last 25 years; the advent of nonpetroleum based jet fuel could provide an additional avenue to improve farm income.
The aviation industry uses less than 1% of bio-based Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) currently. Many airlines are committed to increasing that percentage. In just the United States the FAA reports that 45,000 flights take off (and land) every day. By using SAF, agricultural by products as well as used cooking oil from an agricultural source could benefit our farm economy. Please contact me on your thoughts about strengthening the number one industry in Kansas and preventing the next impending farm disaster.
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