http://www.safarmer.net/blog/2009/09/spring-has-sprung/ Farming in South Africa Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:05:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 http://www.safarmer.net/blog/2009/09/spring-has-sprung/comment-page-1/#comment-2 Craig Goble Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:05:31 +0000 http://www.safarmer.net/blog/?p=8#comment-2 Too bad farming practices improve in spurts. There were dramatic changes that brought us to the all-till-and-chemicals club, then because production had increased greatly, things pretty much leveled out. It is encouraging, however, that many farmers are realizing that huge production and profit aren't necessary proportional. In the US, government recognition of the important role agriculture plays in so many areas other than just the ag sector has prompted its economic intervention with an original emphasis solely on production. In recent years this influence has been tempered to include tying government support to farming practices that are more positive from a sustainability standpoint. Since farms are operated as for profit entities ultimately money talks. That's not a bad thing, just the way it is and a point that must be recognized for any changes to occur. Too bad farming practices improve in spurts. There were dramatic changes that brought us to the all-till-and-chemicals club, then because production had increased greatly, things pretty much leveled out. It is encouraging, however, that many farmers are realizing that huge production and profit aren’t necessary proportional. In the US, government recognition of the important role agriculture plays in so many areas other than just the ag sector has prompted its economic intervention with an original emphasis solely on production. In recent years this influence has been tempered to include tying government support to farming practices that are more positive from a sustainability standpoint. Since farms are operated as for profit entities ultimately money talks. That’s not a bad thing, just the way it is and a point that must be recognized for any changes to occur.

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