Agriculture withstands global recession
In spite of struggling economy, number of farms increases
Roy Appleton
Issue date: 4/16/09 Section: Nation and World
DALLAS (MCT) - Jim Tom Roddy's corn rises near Lancaster. Wyndol Fry babies his blackberry patch north of McKinney. Bob Mitchell's cattle graze Trinity River bottomland pastures. Todd and Deanna Moore's Plano dairy produces award-winning cows, cheese and yogurt.
In this withered economy, at least one line of work remains grounded in growth and opportunity.
Agriculture has withstood the global recession relatively well after record crop prices and farm incomes. Still, falling prices, an uncertain turnaround and tight credit are adding stress to a business rooted in risk and cycles.
But people and livestock have to eat. Farmers and ranchers provide, striving for pay dirt with actual work.
As development consumes North Texas farmland, the number of "farms" has actually increased. And as another spring settles in, about half of the Dallas area - counting parking lots, streets and supermarkets - is devoted to agriculture.
From thousand-acre spreads to small tracts. From corn and cows to onions and bees. So near the hubbub. So far away.
Bob Mitchell and his four cowboys wait in the saddle. A sixth wrangler sits in a rumbling four-wheeler.
"Best go start 'em, John," the driver is told. "You're the main man."
John Reinboldt explodes toward a stand of cattle. Mitchell wants them penned. And with the four-wheeler patrolling the edges, confronting the rowdies, he and his hired hands push the bawling beasts toward a corral. Hup-Hup-Hupping. Yee-Yee-Yeeing all the way.
The pasture near Seagoville, about 18 miles southeast of downtown Dallas, is part of Mitchell's 24,000-acre farming operation. About half of his land, mostly leased, will be planted this year in corn, wheat, oats, soybeans and sorghum. The rest will be in pasture for more than 1,000 cows plus calves and bulls.
"I can still run 16 hours a day," said Mitchell, who sprouted in a hardscrabble farming family and has worked mostly Kaufman County land since moving to Terrell in 1962.
In this withered economy, at least one line of work remains grounded in growth and opportunity.
Agriculture has withstood the global recession relatively well after record crop prices and farm incomes. Still, falling prices, an uncertain turnaround and tight credit are adding stress to a business rooted in risk and cycles.
But people and livestock have to eat. Farmers and ranchers provide, striving for pay dirt with actual work.
As development consumes North Texas farmland, the number of "farms" has actually increased. And as another spring settles in, about half of the Dallas area - counting parking lots, streets and supermarkets - is devoted to agriculture.
From thousand-acre spreads to small tracts. From corn and cows to onions and bees. So near the hubbub. So far away.
Bob Mitchell and his four cowboys wait in the saddle. A sixth wrangler sits in a rumbling four-wheeler.
"Best go start 'em, John," the driver is told. "You're the main man."
John Reinboldt explodes toward a stand of cattle. Mitchell wants them penned. And with the four-wheeler patrolling the edges, confronting the rowdies, he and his hired hands push the bawling beasts toward a corral. Hup-Hup-Hupping. Yee-Yee-Yeeing all the way.
The pasture near Seagoville, about 18 miles southeast of downtown Dallas, is part of Mitchell's 24,000-acre farming operation. About half of his land, mostly leased, will be planted this year in corn, wheat, oats, soybeans and sorghum. The rest will be in pasture for more than 1,000 cows plus calves and bulls.
"I can still run 16 hours a day," said Mitchell, who sprouted in a hardscrabble farming family and has worked mostly Kaufman County land since moving to Terrell in 1962.
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shanker modak
posted 10/07/09 @ 12:00 AM CST
I found the entire story interesting and very useful while collecting material for an article which I am writing on the subject of Recession and Agiculture. (Continued…)
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