Not all green for Missouri farmers...

While talking to farmers over break, I realized one of the biggest issues they are facing is rising input costs. While many Americans who are generations removed from the farm think growers have it made right now with rising grain prices, that's not the case. Higher input costs, especially fertilizer, is putting the pinch on growers.

So, I decided to do a story for KOMU , a TV news station in Columbia, Mo., on the higher costs and the affect it's having on farmers. As an Ag J student in the broadcast sequence, I will report every Monday night for KOMU. This was my first piece, but overall I learned a lot and I hope Mid-Missourians did, as well. Take a look and see how my story turned out. . (If you click on the player on the right-hand side of the page, you can see how it aired during the 6 o'clock news.)

Dr. Ron Plain, a very well-known and respected University of Missouri Ag Economist, gave me statistics that made this story really hit home. Costs have increased dramatically from last spring and it looks like there's no end in sight.

Fertilizer prices:

Anhydrous ammonia

Spring 2007: $523/ton
Current: $725/ton

Diammonium phosphate

Spring 2007: $0.221/lb
Current: $0.550/lb

Potash

Spring 2007: $0.233/lb
Current $0.425/lb

I hope you enjoyed the story and invite you to stay tuned every week to see what type of ag-related stories I decide to pursue for KOMU.