CALF_News_June_July_2020

33 CALF News • June | July 2020 • www.calfnews.net Gatherings  CALF COMMUNITY There haven’t been many, or maybe any, gatherings of people in our country for some time. There have, however, been plenty of gatherings of our livestock, large and small. CALF News thinks it is a good time to enjoy our critters and recognize that we are lucky to have a way of life that is valuable to every person on earth. Pictured are horses from Rose, Neb.; dogs from Hazard; sheep from Seward; and cattle from Prairie City, S.D. Photos courtesy Patti Wilson  Some Do Still Gather that, before the virus subsides, 60 to 70 percent of America will have contracted it. Again, I question the math. With a population of 328 mil- lion, that prediction means 197 to 229 million people will be infected. Even if this pandemic would approach these astro- nomical numbers, what other scientific fields of study have a margin of error of 32 million? I agree with a recent statement by USDA Sec. Sonny Perdue: “We’ve never seen anything like this at all.” But I do see some parallels to the supposed man-made climate change Just last night, in reading 2011’s Civilization, the West and the Rest , Niall Ferguson wrote,“We live in fear of pandemics and man- made changes to global climate.” Prior to the pandemic and its associated paranoia, the American economy was thriving, with unemployment numbers across all demographic groups being the lowest in decades, and jobs returning back home from foreign lands. Much of this I believe can be contributed to the federal gov- ernment stepping aside and providing fewer restrictions, tax cuts and more encouragement to the point I was looking down the “retirement tunnel” and seeing a bright light. Within the last six weeks, the Dow Jones average fell 30 percent from a high over 30,000 points. My light has grown dim with my market portfolio falling in a corresponding fash- ion. On the farm, commodities were feeling the same as corn prices had fallen to the $3 per bushel range. Fortunately, I did contract some of my projected 2020 crop at slightly more than $4, but, unfortunately, I should have done more. With the travel bans and “cowering in place” orders, the oil industry has maybe been hit the hardest – at one point crude oil traded in negative numbers. Limiting air travel and our individual freedom of getting behind the wheel of our iron steeds has gravely reduced demand and, consequently, ethanol production fell 38 percent from February to April. My corn crop marketing takes yet another hit as distillers react by slow- ing or even closing plants. Recognizing the millions now unemployed and the shutter- ing of many businesses, the federal government has enacted some relief or stimulus packages, including $16 billion in direct payments to farmers and ranchers. While being wel- comed by those in dire needs, I question,“Is this a remedy or just a stop-gap measure, and where does this money originate? Is it more taxes in the future or do they add another shift to print additional dollars?” I trust the answer to this being the government, as in the past three years, stepping aside to allow the American entre- preneurial spirit and the fortitude of its people to get things done in a safe manner. Just maybe I can again witness my grandsons’ ball games.  BEYOND THE RANCH GATE Continued from page 30