Farm Bureau chief predicts big changes in agriculture

Short-term political challenges will not hamper the future of agriculture, according to Bob Stallman, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Agriculture will significantly change in the next decade as farmers and ranchers utilize new technologies, improved conservation measures and other 21st century advancements, Stallman said Friday in a speech at the Utah Farm Bureau's annual convention in Salt Lake City.

"The changes during the last 50 years will pale in comparison to the changes during the next 10 years," he said.

Addressing more immediate concerns, Stallman commented on the $286 billion federal farm bill, which was stalled Friday by the U.S. Senate: "The Senate is not getting their job done."

On issues such as immigration, he said guest workers are needed for U.S. food production. As for animal rights, livestock producers need to be able to work without suffocating regulation or else the food will be shipped into the United States from elsewhere, he said.

Convention attendee Maurice Wilcox, a retired rancher and farmer from Fielding, said that Stallman's predictions for the future were interesting, although not as pertinent for smaller operations.

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