From News Line, a daily compilation of farm water news distributed to CFWC members and others upon request. To receive News Line, click here.

Ag expenses add to cost of food

Coalition response…Farmers are continually confronted with increasing costs of production to grow a food supply that the public relies upon. When the cost of new government regulations, such as the water monitoring requirement identified in this editorial, add to the cost of doing business, farmers experience a narrowing of the difference between a profit and a loss. Unfortunately, farmers cannot pass on costs to consumers because the market sets the price farmers receive for their crops. Rising production costs have already driven some farmers out of business, which can limit choices in the grocery store and therefore increase costs to consumers at the checkout stand.