National Agriculture Week is March 19-25. This time provides us with the opportunity to pay tribute to the hard working, dedicated farmers and ranchers who supply our daily food and fiber needs.

This year, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture has selected "The Story of Nebraska Agriculture" as the theme for this special week. It is difficult to frame the "story" of our state's number one industry in a one-page editorial because Nebraska's agricultural sector is so rich, diverse, and ever-evolving.

Through the years, our farmers and ranchers have grown agriculture into an industry that contributes roughly $12 billion annually to the state economy. Almost 20 percent of the state's population works directly in agriculture or agriculture-related positions. History tells us these figures will not be static, and I believe the industry is poised for growth.

Here are the latest chapters of our agricultural story:

• Governor Dave Heineman led two trade delegations to Cuba in 2005. We were able to secure contracts for Nebraska products worth almost $30 million. Dry edible beans, wheat, and soybean meal were sold. Memorandums of Understanding were signed for future sales of beef and soybeans. There is a great deal of opportunity in this emerging market, and we will return next month.

• The Unicameral passed and the Governor signed a package of economic development programs dubbed "The Nebraska Advantage." It includes the reauthorization of a value-added grant program that will benefit our farmers and ranchers by helping offset the costs of research, education, training, and market development of value-added agriculture products. Producers are looking for ways to gain profit from their raw commodities past the farm gate, and this program can help them achieve their goals.

• Last summer, President Bush signed comprehensive energy legislation that included a renewable fuels standard. The historic legislation provided additional spark to Nebraska's ethanol industry and prompted greater interest in biodiesel production. Ethanol production continues to grow, with 12 plants in operation and over a dozen in various developmental stages. These value-added industries will provide additional marketing outlets for our corn, grain sorghum, and soybeans, while decreasing our dependence on foreign energy.

• Nebraska beef was among the first beef savored in Japan, Hong Kong, and Vietnam as Asian markets reopened to U.S. imports. These Asian markets historically have been some of Nebraska's best beef customers, so it was important to aggressively re-establish our desire to supply safe, quality product. We will continue our international promotions in this region, including additional key markets like Korea, as opportunities are presented.

A photo of Director Ibach is available upon request. Please submit request to ckamm@agr.ne.gov or (402) 471-6856.

Below are some interesting facts about agriculture today. These points just scratch the surface of the advancements being made in agriculture on a daily basis. All Americans are asked to enjoy and admire the wonders of American agriculture as National Agriculture Day is celebrated on March 20.

General statistics:

• Today's average farm is 417 acres compared to 147 acres in 1900.
• Today's farmer feeds about 129 people in the United States and abroad. In 1960, that number was 25.8.
• Forty-two percent of U.S. total land area is farmland.
• U.S. farmers account for 42.7 percent of the world's soybean production and 34.4 percent of the world's corn production.
• More than 15 percent of the U.S. population is employed in farm or farm-related jobs.
• U.S. consumers spend roughly 9 percent of their income on food compared with 11 percent in the United Kingdom, 17 percent in Japan, 27 percent in South Africa, and 53 percent in India.
• Farmers and ranchers provide food and habitat for 75 percent of the nation's wildlife.

• U.S. farmers and ranchers produce meat that is lower in fat and cholesterol. The result is beef cuts that have 27 percent less fat than in 1985.
• Plant breeding has resulted in crops better able to handle the environmental affects of drought and disease and insect infestations resulting in higher yields at harvest and lower costs to the consumer.

• Today's combines can harvest 900 bushels of corn per hour. In the 1930s, a farmer could harvest (by hand) about 100 bushels of corn in a nine-hour day.
• Precision farming using satellite maps and computer models enables farmers to use less production inputs to produce a higher quality, higher yielding crop.
• Farmers use computers and satellites daily to improve the efficiency of their production operations and track production processes on general and special crops.

• Ethanol accounts for the largest industrial use of any commodity crop.
• Soybeans are used in the five major markets currently dependent on petroleum products including: plastics, coatings and ink, adhesives, lubricants, and solvents.

Public Service Announcements with NDA Director Greg Ibach:

• National Ag Day       mp3       wav

• National Ag Week       mp3       wav