It looks like a good year, but for those expensive fill-ups
The result is a Klamath County industry that is probably closing in on $1 billion a year, if it hasn’t gotten there already. A 2004 report using figures that were several years old said that Klamath County agriculture and food manufacturing had a worth of $650 million and there was another $169 million not included.
A report this year from Oregon State University compiled on a different basis, said that the value of products from Klamath County farms and ranches jumped in 2007 to $298.3 million from $205 million the year before. That’s a gain of more than $90 million in one year, much of it coming from increased prices for hay, cattle and dairy products.
In short, agriculture in the Klamath Basin is big business.
But
even in a city the size of Klamath Falls, where it’s
pretty easy for those in farming and ranching to cross
paths with those who aren’t, there’s often a disconnect
between the groups. People generally lack an insight into
what happens at farms and ranches unless they work or live
on one.
The subject’s important because Klamath Basin farmers
and ranchers constantly see their battles on the front
pages and their futures hanging on decisions handed down
in court cases or from federal officials. The impact such
things have on the local economy is major.
This looks like a good year for Klamath County
agriculture and, if it is, means extra millions of dollars
percolating through the local economy. The price of farm
commodities is up, which means higher prices at the
supermarket. Consumers don’t like that, but many of those
dollars make their way to local businesses and those who
work there.
Even if the price is higher, the cost of food in the
United States remains a pretty good deal. It hovers near
10 percent of Americans’ disposable income. Until 2000, it
was never below 10 percent. In 1990, it was 11.1 percent;
in 1980, 13.2 percent; in 1970, 13.9 percent and in 1960,
17.5 percent.
Compared to other nations, the U.S. figures are low.
The extra dollars spent on food don’t automatically
add to a farmer’s bottom line. A lot of them go for $400
fuel fill-ups for farm machinery and higher costs of
electricity.
That’s part of the balancing act, too. Farmers and
ranchers won’t find out how good they are at juggling
until after the harvest.
Editorial board
Pat Bushey wrote today’s editorial.
The members of the Herald and News editorial board are
Publisher Heidi Wright, Editor Steve Miller, Day Editor
Marcia McGonigle and Opinion Editor Pat Bushey.