Stressors all around—optimism, too
If you are involved in farming and ranching, or in businesses that serve those industries, it has been a challenging time.
For cow-calf producers, recent rains will help restore pastures, but there is still a long way to go. For wheat growers in many regions, it has been a year to be forgotten. Corn, soybean and sorghum producers have felt the sting of high nitrogen costs while global markets have contracted.
Ranchers who have benefited from high cattle prices now have added concern because of the New World screwworm. Across the agricultural sector, interest rates remain higher than many would like.
Still, a couple of things are worth keeping in mind.
About 20 years ago, a colleague offered me advice during a difficult period for editors working in the daily newspaper business. He said, “Dave, it is tough and challenging, but you’re not doing it in Iraq or Afghanistan.”
At a recent Kansas Press Association meeting, Chad Lawhorn, editor and publisher of the Lawrence Journal-World, pointed out that while the country may seem deeply divided today, it is not the Civil War, when the nation went to war with itself. He also noted that while current events and economic challenges can be discouraging, they are not comparable to the Great Depression.
Occasionally, I hear well-meaning people say today’s farm and ranch economy resembles the 1980s. As someone who was influenced by the farm crisis that began in the late 1970s, I can say with confidence we are not close to those conditions.
None of that makes day-to-day responsibilities any less demanding. It does not make it easier to prepare a monthly cash-flow statement while facing unexpected medical bills, rising insurance premiums or a tractor repair that could cost $10,000.
One lesson I learned from my dad was that “each bad day you put behind you puts you one day closer to good times.”
He also reminded me that reaching those better days requires careful planning, attention to detail, and a trusted network of advisers and mentors.
Soon, our country will celebrate its 250th birthday. The United States has faced challenges and stressors throughout its history, along with moments of achievement and periods marked by mistakes and hardships. The encouraging part is that progress did not happen by chance. The Founding Fathers understood that good times are not guaranteed and should be valued when they come.
The same is true for us.
Even amid stress and uncertainty, we have some control over our future, but we must remember we are not alone. Personal struggles are part of the human experience. Taking a break to talk with family, friends or a professional can provide relief and help restore perspective.
Better days will come. The challenges and stresses we face today can also help us appreciate those moments when they arrive.
Dave Bergmeier can be reached at 620-227-1822 or [email protected].
