John Block Reports from Washington

Hello everybody out there in farm country. This is Rick Frank sitting in for John Block who is on vacation. This radio commentary is brought to you by the Renewable Fuels Association, Wal-Mart Stores, Monsanto, and John Deere. They are all friends, supporters, and allies of a healthy farm economy and prosperous rural America. Thank you.

And now for today’s commentary—

It’s Christmas. We have almost made it through year 2011. the world has been in turmoil all year. At long last, there is an indication that the public at large may be starting to understand that federal governments can exceed the limits of their credit cards just as individuals can. The welfare state – cradle to the grave vision can not be sustained.

Here in the good old USA, we have witnessed our own government’s inability to come to trips with the reality that we can not keep spending what we don’t have. We’re going to enter the new year with the same uncertainty that we have lived with throughout this year.

However, down on the farm, things have been different. This past year set a record for net farm income – 100 billion dollars. Export set a record of more than 136 billion dollars. Usually, the good times in farm country are either enjoyed by grain farmers or livestock farmers. Not that way in 2011. Everyone was there to “cash in.” Bring home the bacon – corn, soybean, wheat, hogs, beef, dairy. The livestock industry has successfully adjusted to higher grain prices, except for chickens and they haven’t figured it out yet.

As we gather around the Christmas tree to open gifts this year, let’s give thanks for the things that count the most – family, friends, and that the farm has had a good year. We know from a lifetime of experience that some years are not good. The farming business is like riding a roller coaster. Up and down, up and down – hold on. Enjoy it while you can. Next year will be different. If the weather hurt your crop this year – next year, look for a bumper crop.

Have a Merry Christmas!

In closing, I would encourage you to access my website which archives my radio commentaries dating back 10 years and will go back 20 years when complete. Check on what I said back then. Go to www.johnblockreports.com .

Until next week, I am John Block in Washington.