‘Precision agriculture’ cuts costs, pollution – Montana profits high – Are Farm Subsidies Good Economic Development?

New technology is making it possible for farmers to cut their expenses and reduce water pollution, saving themselves money and avoiding regulatory headaches in the future, a new federal agronomist in Bozeman says.

The concept is called "precision agriculture," and it’s been around for years.

But it’s never caught on in a big way in Montana’s ag community.

Aziz Rahman, a Ph.D. agronomist who joined the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service office in Bozeman in August, said he’s hoping to ignite more interest.

By SCOTT McMILLION Chronicle Staff Writer

Full Story: http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2004/12/26/news/sunday.txt

*************

Ag industry sees profits increase

By SCOTT McMILLION Chronicle Staff Writer

Annual farm and ranch profits in Montana more than doubled in 2003 to $576 million, according to the latest annual report from the Montana Agricultural Statistics Service.

That’s the biggest net profit the state’s agriculture sector has seen since 1993, when the industry earned $872 million.

Jake Cummins, executive director of the Montana Farm Bureau, attributed the higher profits to good cattle and grain prices, along with lower expenses in some sectors.

"There’s no taking away from fact," Cummins said Friday. "We had a good year."

In 2003, federal checks written to (Montana) farmers totaled $356 million. That’s a million dollars a day, or 62 percent of the industry’s net profits for the year.

Full Story: http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2004/12/26/news/ag.txt

***********

Are Farm Subsidies Good Economic Development?

Farmers had a record year for sales and profits in 2004. Yet government subsidies are up 40%. Is this good policy?

Full Story: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/26/national/26farm.html?oref=login&hp&ex=1104037200&en=767a910513430542&ei=5094&partner=homepage