The Presidential Campaign Trail - an analysis from Iowa
Our Holstein World intern Leah Henkes has been busy following the Presidential Campaign Trail that kicked off in her home state of Iowa.
The 2008 Presidential Trail
By Leah Henkes
Upon entering the community center I saw people in their preference groups visiting with each other. The room was full of political conversation. As I sat at the table and registered I saw many new and familiar faces filling in the dot of who they planned to support. I was so excited to be part of history. The night was about to begin, the clock struck 7:00. Where was I? I was at the Iowa Caucus. As the night went on different candidates emerged as the leaders of the pact. By the end of the night all the groups remaining were viable and assigned their appropriate number of delegates. The experience was one I will never forget.
After my caucus experience, I was given the opportunity to interview dairy farmers and see what issues matter most to them. I have spent a lot of time in my government class studying the issues affecting us. I really enjoyed discussing politics with the dairymen and, of course, we got off track to discuss genetics and other issues!
Leading candidates views on agricultural policies (as reported from their websites)
Mike Huckabee - Republican, Age 52, Arkansas
* Supports Farm Subsidies - He says subsidies insulate farmers during natural disasters like droughts, floods and hurricanes as well as sudden spikes in prices of fuel, feed and fertilizer.
* Supports a fully-funded crop insurance program - His program will be based on low yields and/or low prices rather than the current program which is based on only low prices.
* He thinks subsidies are necessary so American farmers can compete with European and Asian farmers who are being subsidized.
* He knows our agriculture policies must encourage young people to enter and stay involved in farming.
John McCain - Republican, Age 71, Arizona
* Supports crop insurance.
* He says inheritance tax should kick in only at a level of about $5 million.
* Supports lowering barriers to product goods and products from other countries, if they agree to lower theirs.
* Doesn””””””””t support ethanol production.
Mitt Romney - Republican, Age 60, Massachusetts
* Supports Farm Subsidies - He believes our farmers need to be given the same treatment as farmers in Europe and other markets.
* Supports open international markets for American products.
Hillary Clinton - Democrat, Age 60, New York
* Has fought to maintain resource conservation programs, economic development programs and specialty crop programs
* Focuses on family farms - make sure trade agreements work for the big agri-businesses and the small farmers.
* Thinks trade needs to be more of a win-win situation; look for ways to maximize the impact of what America is trying to export and stop being taken advantage of by other countries.
John Edwards - Democrat, Age 54, North Carolina
* Supports rural development and plans to redirect funds so they go to the intended rural areas.
* Supports strict enforcement of laws against anticompetitive mergers, unfair pricing and country of origin laws.
* Will enact a strong national ban on packer ownership to stop the spread of large cooperate hog interests.
* To help small farmers he will also limit farm subsidies to $250,000 per person, close loopholes in payment limits and expand conservation programs.
Barack Obama - Democrat, Age 46, Illinois
* Supports capping farm subsidies and not giving the money to a few large agribusinesses.
* Supports new ethanol refineries to help jumpstart rural communities.
* Will work to break down trade barriers to keep American farmers competitive - ensures that all trade agreements contain strong and enforceable labor, environmental, health and safety standards so American farmers can complete on a level playing field.
I thought it would be fun to interview some local area Holstein breeders and get their viewpoints of the early stages of this very exciting race. Here”””””””’’s what they had to say:
(Note: These are opinions only. They do not reflect the company position at Holstein World and are not intended for promotion of any one candidate.)
Larry Tande
Medford, MN
Vice President Holstein Association USA
Herd Size: 45 Registered Holsteins
Lactation Average: 25,000 lbs with a BAA of 111.4%
He breeds for type but respects production knowing management is an important factor.
Leah: What political issues are important to you as a dairy farmer?
Larry: The Farm Bill is important to agriculture and all commodity groups. The MILC (Milk Income Loss Contract) is an issue with many of our dairy producers. The cap on production under the current program has been more advantageous for the smaller operations, with many of our larger producers wanting this cap increased. At this point in time there are different versions coming out of the House and Senate, with a Conference Committee to determine the final outcome.
The total cap on farm subsidies paid to individual farm operations has been a political football. Some advocate limits, which is more than our Southern States Legislators are comfortable with due to their size, especially around cotton, peanuts & sugar. Then there is the question, how will they be paid for, especially if there is a larger increase in the total Farm Bill, than the White House is comfortable with — and the threat of a veto.
2007 has been a great year for milk prices, but the costs of petroleum, corn, protein, hay, fertilizer, land prices (rent), etc. have reduced the profit margins. The ethanol production in the United States has really increased the cost of feed (corn, protein, hay, etc.). What will be the long term effect on livestock production in the US?
Leah: Is there a specific candidate who is more for agriculture than another?
Larry: An interesting question. While the media is full of everything else on each candidate, very little has been said or questions have been asked on agriculture. While most generally follow their “party lines,” details are never known until they win their party”””””””’’s endorsement, and they make a major statement on Agricultural Policy, before commodity groups in the US. I really couldn””””””””t point to any current candidate over another in the “agriculture arena.”
Mark Kerndt
Premier Genetics
Waukon, IA
Herd Size: 45 Registered Holsteins
Rolling Herd Average: 25,000 lbs
Leah: What political issues are important to you as a dairy farmer?
Mark: I am a dairy farmer but a U.S. Citizen first. The economy is a major issue. It is still going good as of now though. I hope the trade policies stay fair and don””””””””t become a hindrance to people who want to export goods. I think National Security is our nation”””””””’’s most important issue. But I also hope that interest rates remain reasonable so we don””””””””t go into a recession. Energy independence is also very important especially for our state and agriculture in general. I hope that the next president will continue to support the production of ethanol and renewable energy.
Leah: Is there a specific candidate who is more for agriculture than another?
Mark: It is hard to get a candidate for agriculture. They won””””””””t come out with their ag policies until after the primaries.
Phil Specht
McGregor, IA
Herd Size: 165 Registered Holsteins, 98% homebred
Lactation Average: 19,000 lbs as a grazier herd
Phil is a member of the State Central Democratic Committee and a past chair of state platform committee.
Leah: Is there a specific candidate who you are supporting for their agriculture policies?
Phil: I supported John Edwards because of his promises to end corporate interests in Washington taking over. The justice department hasn””””””””t taken the right responses to competitive forces (”monopoly tendencies”) of the corporate interests that are gaining the the upper hand. The cost of health care is also a pressing issue for the nation. John Edwards offers the most comprehensive plan for the total United States and especially farm families.
In my precinct, however, the John Edwards group was not viable so I joined Barack Obama”””””””’’s group. I didn””””””””t back Hillary Clinton because of the choices the justice department made in 1998 when they failed to defend independent hog producers during the 1998 packer squeeze. Although I think Clinton as Senator of New York better understands the dairy issues.
Leroy Eggink
Great Heritage Holsteins
Sibley, IA
Herd Size: 46 Registered Holsteins
Rolling Herd Average: 24,000 lbs of milk with a BAA of 110.3%
Leah: Is there a specific candidate who you are supporting for their agriculture policies?
Leroy: I am supporting Mike Huckabee because of moral values and where he stands on the moral issues. It isn””””””””t all about just him as president but also the people he elects to serve with him. I have a strong faith and I want my president to have the same values.