Farm Bureau president says farming still a vital industry in Cape Girardeau County

Cape Girardeau County Farm Bureau president Dale Steffens is no longer an active farmer, but the retired dairy farmer still thinks farming is the best way of life.

"You plant the seed. You watch it come up and grow and sprout little leaves," he said. "It matures and grows and you harvest it in the fall. It all started with that little seed."

He said there is no other occupation where the fruits of labor are so visible. As the Missouri Farm Bureau celebrates "Thank a Farmer Week" this week, Steffens said the agriculture presence in Cape Girardeau County remains strong, and both plants and livestock are raised in the county.

Steffens said the largest crops in Cape Girardeau County are corn and soybeans. According to the USDA, soybeans were the largest crop produced in Missouri in 2009, and the state ranked sixth nationally in soybean production.

As far as animal agriculture, beef cattle tops the list in the county, Steffens said. According to the USDA, Missouri ranks second to Texas in beef cattle, but Steffens said there are still a few dairy farms in the county.

Steffens said dairy farms were more prevalent in the area a few decades ago than they are now. This is a trend across Southeast Missouri, not just in Cape Girardeau County.

"It's very work intensive," he said of dairy farming. "It's pretty much a 24/7 job, 365 days a year."

Steffens grew up on dairy farm before having his own dairy operation. He said in addition to raising their cows, many dairy farmers also raise their own grain and hay.

Steffens said Cape Girardeau County farms are typically smaller, family operations. He said only about one to two percent of the county's farms are large enough to produce enough food to feed 150 to 200 people a year.

Steffens said despite the strong agricultural presence in Cape Girardeau County and Southeast Missouri, many area consumers are losing touch with their food source and how vital agriculture is to the local economy.

As more food is produced, he said, it's not only the farmers that benefit because jobs are created through food processing, transportation, retail sales and other businesses.

"So much of it is hidden. People don't realize employees so many more people that on the farms," he said.

Steffens said fewer people are choosing to pursue farming as an occupation across the country, but in Cape Girardeau County it continues to thrive as an industry. While it's still a way of life here, there are challenges.

"The uncertainty of fuel and fertilizer costs are a major thing. The costs are astronomical," Steffens said. "When I hear the numbers for what fertilizer costs these days, it's unbelievable."

Steffens said like many industries, more aspects of farming are being influenced by technology and computers, and it's a constant challenge for farmers to stay current on the latest advancements.

cbartholomew@semissourian.com

243-8600