Moretz is chosen as Farm Bureau leadership winner

By DICK HAGEN

The Land Staff Writer Emeritus

For an intriguing read on the future of farming, I suggest you take a few minutes as I share comments from Melissa Moretz who favored me with a sit-down interview at our kitchen table recently.

Just returning home from Jan. 8-10 American Farm Bureau event in Puerto Rico, Moretz was honored as the 2022 Iowa Farm Bureau Leadership Award winner.

Moretz explains, “In 2017, when Nate and I made plans to build a new hog barn right next to our house, we soon became aware of some resistance and negative media. And that really sparked me to stand up and tell our story. I felt it important to let others know that as young farmers we needed to find a way to diversify our income. Both Nate and my parents were hog producers — so we too felt okay about this added dimension to our young farming careers. Also, I talked with some Farm Bureau members about our challenge. They agreed to put me under their wing

ON THE COVER:

The Moretz family is pictured at their Worth County, Iowa farm. Left to right is Bria, Nate, Melissa and Kole Moretz.

— developing me as an ag leader willing to speak out about local issues relating to young farmers.”

“My involvement in the county increased,” Moretz continued. “So too my state participation and I soon had a much better understanding of the impact of a strong voice for young farmers!”

So how did she become a candidate for this amazing Farm Bureau Leadership Award ambition? She related, “It’s a two-stage process. My Worth County Farm Bureau sent me to the state event where I did very well. Then I was asked if I would represent Iowa in the national competition in Puerto Rico. Of course I was thrilled! I had never visited a U.S. territory before. It was beautiful. I would gladly revisit this tropical paradise.”

Her 25-minute presentation was to three judges and was 20 percent of her total score. The other 80 percent involved questions dealing with their farm story and how to survive if facing three consecutive low-income years. “That’s how our new hog barn became an income opportunity. By providing it to others as a grow-out facility for feeder-pigs, we had steady revenue and eliminated our own commoditymarket risks.”

She continued, “We told our own life story — plus our thinking on other issues particularly inherent in today’s American agriculture. That’s why those ‘com- munity voices’ about our new hog barn became a defining moment in my young life. That shook me up … it was my wakeup call! It just isn’t fair be silent when angry voices are often the only sounds bellowing in the halls of Congress and our state legislatures.”

So what’s ahead for this young lady who now relishes her opportunities as an informed, considerate and responsible voice for agriculture?

Moretz is very direct. “First and foremost is the growth and health of my young family! Kole, now an exuberant 7-year old, is fun, always beaming, and a pure joy for his dad and me. Daughter Bria, 4, loves to snuggle and she enjoys special ‘daddy time’ too.”

“Nate and I are so fortunate already in our young lives. We love farming. No, it’s not a requirement our kids grow up to be farmers; but if that’s what happens, then our family companionship flourishes even more. Livestock are a passion of both Nate and I. He’s into cattle and building a cow-calf operation; I’m more a hog girl.”

“But to me, if consumer perception of agriculture isn’t addressed in the next five years, we are likely going to see more regulations on agriculture that can be cost prohibitive to all farmers — especially younger guys like us just getting going in this precarious, but often rewarding industry of American agriculture.”

“Even so, I’m seeing a positive future for American agriculture. In my work as an ag lender (Commercial Bank, Mason City) I’m much aware of the tremendous costs for each and every farmer. Because of our own farming venture, I’m understanding these challenges. That’s also why I often suggest young farmers hook up with experienced farmers for additional mentoring as needed.”

‘Speak up for Farmers’ opportunities continue endlessly for this young lady. One of her favorites was when Christianson Farms of Sleepy Eye, Minn. (the Moretz’s feeder pig’supplier) asked Moretz to be a speaker at their State Fair display. Her presentation was titled “The Hats We Wear.”

Dairy herd populations expected to decline through 2023

This column was written for the marketing week ending Jan. 27.

The farm milk spigot slowed a bit in December.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s preliminary data has December output at 18.93 billion pounds, up 0.8 percent from December 2021. The 24-state total, at 18.1 billion pounds, was up 0.9 percent.

Revisions lowered

MIELKE MARKET WEEKLY

By Lee Mielke

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the 50-state November total by 46 million pounds to 18.2 billion, up 1 percent from a year ago, instead of the 1.3 percent increase originally reported.

Output for the quarter amounted to 56 billion pounds, up 1 percent from a year ago. Cow numbers, at 9.41 million, were down 4,000 from the previous quarter, but 27,000 more than the same period a year ago. Preliminary data puts 2022 milk output at 226.6 billion pounds, up 362 million pounds, or 0.2 percent from 2021.

December cow numbers totaled 9.4 million, down 8,000 head from the November count which was revised 12,000 head lower. The December herd was up 27,000 head from a year ago but the smallest since February. The 24-state head count was up 38,000 from a year ago and the smallest since June.

Output per cow averaged 2,014 pounds, up 9 or 0.4 percent from December 2021.

California output, at 3.5 billion pounds, was up 0.3 percent after slipping 0.7 percent in November. Cow numbers were up 5,000 from a year ago and output per cow was unchanged. Wisconsin output at 2.7 billion pounds, was up 0.6 percent following a 1.3 percent increase in November. December cow numbers were down 5,000, but output per cow was up 20 pounds.

Texas was up 3.3 percent, thanks to 25,000 more cows offsetting a 15 pound per cow drop.

Florida registered the biggest loss, down 12.7 percent on 13,000 fewer cows and five pounds less per cow. Idaho was up 1.6 percent on 9,000 more cows and a five pound gain per cow. Michigan was up 1.1 percent, thanks to a 35-pound gain per cow offsetting the loss of 2,000 cows. Minnesota was off 0.3 percent on a drop of 5,000 cows, though output per cow was up 15 pounds. New Mexico was down 4.8 percent on a 13,000 cow drop and a five-pound loss per cow.

New York was up 2.8 percent, adding 10,000 cows to its milking string. Output per cow was up 25 pounds. Oregon was off 0.5 percent on a loss of 2,000 cows, though output per cow was up 15 pounds. Pennsylvania inched up 0.1 percent on a 20-pound gain per cow. However, cow numbers were down 5,000 head.

Georgia had the biggest gain, up 10.8 percent on 9,000 more cows. South Dakota was up 8.9 percent, thanks to 16,000 more cows offsetting a 10-pound loss per cow. Vermont was unchanged, despite a 30-pound gain per cow. Cow numbers were down 2,000 head. Washington State was down 3.3 percent on 7,000 fewer cows and a 15-pound drop per cow.

StoneX says, “With dairy prices falling and input