No win
John Schlageck
Friday, September 25, 2009
If the climate change bill becomes law it would not benefit farmers, ranchers and rural Kansas.
Also known as cap-and-trade, this legislation would cause farmers and ranchers like the Handke brothers from Muscotah to experience big increases in their operating expenses.
Terry and Paul Handke feed 5,000 head of cattle in their feedlot and farm another 2,000 acres of row crops in Atchison County.
“We could easily see more than $100,000 added to our operating expenses if this legislation is implemented,” Paul says. “It’s impossible for us to pass on these additional operating costs to consumers when selling our commodities.”
The Handkes believe they could ride out such a hit during a short-term period of from one to five years. However, during the long term, they wouldn’t be so lucky.
“Such an increase would force us to decide whether or not we could continue to farm and feed livestock,” Paul says.
Much of the initial increase in operating expenses would come in fuel costs and higher nitrogen (fertilizer) costs. Natural gas is expected to increase at least 10-percent on the low end and more than 50-percent on the high end.
There is so much uncertainty out there, says Troy Dumler, Kansas State University Research & Extension. There are still too many unanswered questions about the short-term, as well as long-term impact of this climate-change legislation.
While some studies have been completed, much more research is needed to provide a clear picture of what the costs and benefits will be, Dumler says.
“There is still so much to learn,” he adds.
The Handke brothers agree. The Atchison County producers definitely feel uncomfortable talking about the future ramifications of this legislation because there is so much about it they don’t know.
Based on what they know now, Terry believes there will be hardly any benefit for their Atchison County operation. He said many of the proposed offsets would afford little opportunity on their farm.
The Handkes already no-till and have for years. Carbon sequestration will more than likely not provide help either.
“You sure wouldn’t want to run a farming operation like ours and expect it to help the cash flow,” Terry says. “There are just too many unknowns about what it will do on the expense side of our operation.”
The Handke brothers believe their cost of doing business – producing crops and livestock – will increase. They also foresee every American family experiencing increased costs should this bill become law.
“If this passes, we’re all going to see higher food prices,” Terry says. “Eventually, someone has to pick up the tab and it won’t just be agriculture that pays.”
Comments
We allow registered users to post comments on this Web site. To learn more about our posting policies please read our User Poster Agreement Policy.
Posted by nannergirl (anonymous) on September 25, 2009 at 4 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The terms "climate change" and "global warming" make me want to puke.
Posted by reddog (anonymous) on September 26, 2009 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thomas Jefferson said, "A government big enough to give you everything you want is also a government big enough to take every thing you have."
Posted by reddog (anonymous) on September 26, 2009 at 8:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is a preconceived plan to destroy the economic and social independence of the U.S., by seizeing control of the political, monetary, intellectual and ecclesiastical. David Rockefeller said, "We are on the verge of a global transformation. All we need is the right major crisis and the nations will except the New World Order. George Orwell said, "In a time of universal deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act."
Posted by reddog (anonymous) on September 26, 2009 at 10:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Its impossible to understand the unfolding of world events without information about the Brotherhood of Darkness by Dr. Stan Monteith.
Posted by reddog (anonymous) on September 27, 2009 at 12:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Radio Liberty prophetic warning lll will inform you about the economy--be sure to read the whole article.
Post a comment
We allow registered users to post comments on this Web site. Our goal with this feature is to encourage thoughtful discussions about the news stories. Using the comment feature to make random attacks on people is not acceptable. Emporiagazette.com neither endorses nor guarantees the accuracy of any user contribution. Responsibility for what is posted or contributed to this site is the sole responsibility of each user. To learn more about our posting policies please read our User Poster Agreement Policy.
(Requires free registration.)