Iowa Cattleman David Petty Addresses Top USDA Officials on Conservation Practices

Washington, D.C. (November 7, 2002) – To a crowd of audience members, fellow producers, satellite television and internet web-cast viewers, and a panel of officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), NCBA member Dave Petty spoke out today on expanding the capabilities of conservation service on private lands.

“On our family operation in Iowa, we have implemented various conservation practices and received technical service to assist in the development of the plans. Going forward, it is important that we continue to work together to achieve the requirements of the agencies and the goals of the producers.  The producers need to be active in the planning process of their practices.  They are the ones with the long-term version of what they want to do with the farm,” said Petty.

Petty spoke out on behalf of America’s cattlemen at the USDA Farm Bill 2002 National Technical Service Provider Summit.  Secretary of Agriculture Ann M. Veneman, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Jim Moseley, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Bruce Knight, and Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Jim Little were in attendance. The summit was called to discuss the implementation of the Technical Service Provider process outlined in the 2002 Farm Bill. Panels of prospective technical service provider recipients and prospective private sector and public sector providers commented on the proposed process. 

“By having more specialists as technical service providers, as outlined in the Farm Bill, it will increase competition and availability of people to get the work load done in a timely manner. The timeliness of being able to get technical help and also to complete a practice is important to a producer.  Opportunity comes and goes and you must be prepared to take the step at the right time,” said Petty.

The Petty family members are exemplary stewards of the land, and they were national winners of the 2001 NCBA Environmental Stewardship Award 2001. Their operation has successfully made conservation economically viable.

“Our stewardship practices have made the entire operation more profitable. It is certainly possible with all of the available conservation programs and alternatives. For example—the more topsoil we save, the more forage production increases, resulting in more pounds of beef produced,” said Petty. “I try to put all these different practices into a whole farm plan, as they all compliment each other and work toward a total conservation plan.  To do this it takes cooperation from technical staff and producers.”

Petty reminded listeners that every operation is a little different, and although technically the requirements are the same for everyone, the application needs to be different based on the specifics of the land and intended use.  He noted that it is important that a third party technical provider has the needed skills and knowledge to put together plans that will work toward comprehensive farm and ranch plans.

In response to the comfort level between producers and technical service providers, Petty noted:

“As the providers are trained and become certified to be eligible to complete plans, the farmers will become more comfortable with them and their recommendations.  We need to be assured that their plans meet all requirements and will be accepted and at what level.  With proper training the technical service providers should have the vision needed to move these plans forward.”

Finally, Petty also asked government officials to recognize the economic challenges of today’s conservation practices.

“The economics of all practices are very important, both from being able to pay for the technical support and the actual practice.  When a producer decides what practices will fit into their operations, we must be able to see economic return as well as practical benefit.  Sometimes the returns will be slow and time is needed to see the real value, but we must still be able to justify doing it to keep our operations sustainable.”

For detailed information on the 2002 Farm Bill conservation programs, go to the NRCS web site at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2002/index.html. Or, contact your local USDA Service Center or your local conservation district.

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