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News
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ODA Director feeling more optimistic about ag in 2011
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1/12/2011
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Article Content Suggested lead
Challenges remain on the horizon for Oregon agriculture in 2011, but the director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture has a sense of optimism:
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Audio 01
Simply put, Katy Coba thinks agriculture in Oregon will be much better this year compared to 2010. For one reason, there are some interesting developments on the national and international market scene:
COBA: "Commodity demand is up. We are seeing wheat prices, as an example, up. We are starting to see beef prices move up. So I think all of these things are going to certainly help the bottom line for Oregon agriculture." :15
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Audio 02
Some commodity sectors are rebounding from economic problems faster than others in Oregon, but Coba says many farmers and ranchers can begin to see a light at the end of the tunnel. As far as new destinations for Oregon ag products, there is another emerging international market in 2011:
COBA: "We are seeing much more interest in India. It's for the same reasons that we are interested in China. There is a very large population that has a growing middle class. That is a great opportunity for Oregon agriculture." :15
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ODA's director also sees water quality and water quantity as key issues for agriculture in the new year, hoping that farmers and ranchers can demonstrate the good work being done in riparian management while the state works to develop a more strategic supply of water for irrigation and other uses. Her biggest wish for Oregon agriculture in 2011? She hopes producers can simply make money and stay in business. In Salem, I'm Bruce Pokarney.
Additional audio: Audio 03
COBA says the biggest issue in the area of natural resource protection and agriculture is water- both water quality and water quantity. She wants the industry to get some credit for projects on the ground:
"I think where we really have to spend some time in the next year as a department and an industry is talking about the good things Oregon agriculture is doing currently when it comes to water quality." :13
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Additional audio: Audio 04
COBA's wish for Oregon agriculture in the new year is simply for farmers and ranchers to make money and stay in business:
"I'm hopeful that we really do see the economy turn around so that producers in this state can make money, can right-size their operations, and put themselves in a lot better position to move forward, and take advantage of new opportunities, wherever those may be." :18
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Full story
http://oregon.gov/ODA/news/110105katy.shtml |
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