Farmer says input fears are not fading

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Farmer says input fears are not fading

As the growing season approaches, a northwestern Ohio farmer says ag input price and availability remains a top concern.

Craig Pohlman raises corn and soybeans in Van Wert County.

“With that unknown of skyrocketing costs and you’re not sure what you’re going to get, there’s some uneasiness,” he says. “I think farmers are optimistic coming off the year we came off of, but with inflation everything at the grocery store is costing more and gas is costing more, and ag inputs have you a little bit concerned. It’s always a fear factor in farming because we’re up against weather and everything else too.”

He tells Brownfield some of the inputs he needs aren’t on his farm yet.

“It is not in my possession yet, so I think that’s where a lot of us are nervous. I trust the people I deal with so I think I have those inputs secured but until they’re on your farm that’s always a concern,” he says.

Pohlman says parts availability is another concern ahead of the season.

“Longer-term, repair parts and things like that with the supply chain issues we’ve seen are top of mind,” he says. “If I break down in the middle of planting, I need to get up and running as soon as possible and if we can’t find parts and get them shipped, that’s a fear for sure.” 

Pohlman is on the Ohio Farm Bureau board of trustees representing Allen, Paulding, Putnam, and Van Wert counties.

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