Welcome to the 2023 Agriculture Development Forum at the Southern Farm Show! Stay tuned for the latest updates and information on our state's number one industry from NC Ag Commissioner Steve Troxler and other industry experts! #NCAgriculture #ncAgForum 
We are honored to have Dr. Blake Brown, Hugh C. Kiger professor of agricultural and resource economics at @NCState, to share his opinions on the economic outlook for 2023! #NCAgriculture #ncAgForum
Dr. Brown mentions some ongoing input cost concerns, including trucking (lack of drivers has increased costs) and fertilizer. Fortunately, he believes fertilizer cost is coming down (just probably won’t get down to pre-pandemic levels). #NCagriculture #ncAgForum
Natural gas is another cost concern for #NCagriculture. Although that cost has nearly doubled, American natural gas is still quite cheap, Brown says. More use is a possible good idea, but pipeline infrastructure is lacking.
Ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict will “in a sad way possibly create an opportunity for American corn,” Brown says. He expects less planting/harvesting in those big corn-producing countries. #NCagriculture #NcAgForum
Brown expects China to continue supporting Brazil’s agriculture, especially during current political situation. This makes Brazil a major competitor to American ag. (This could affect commodity prices in the U.S.) #NCagriculture #ncAgForum
Brown: Even with new administration, Biden has maintained trade policy with China. Tariffs continue, putting a strain on trade. Brown hopes America will diversify its trade partners.
Brown: Labor continues to be concern. He says “making H2a difficult and expensive makes it not only hard on farmers but hard on the workers.” He says the program is making it harder to pay workers and therefore reducing good jobs for farm workers. H2A needs improvements, he says.
In general, Brown wants more effort on immigration reform to help provide farm labor. He’s pessimistic about change though, based on political disagreement. #ncagriculture #ncAgForum
Brown takes a few moments to address @Sweet_Taters. He fears global competition, so he encourages redoubling efforts on domestic (American) consumption. “We don’t want American consumption to go down.” He sees it as a continued great crop for NC. #NCagriculture #ncAgForum
Brown also talks about proteins - consumption of meat has been going up. He sees growing competition from “cultivated chicken” that is grown in labs/factories instead of raised on farms and in chicken houses. “Is it a really good substitute? We’ll see.”
If alternative meats are successful, Brown says it could be a real paradigm shift. “What will it do to North Carolina’s traditional livestock and poultry industries. We have to pay attention.” #NCagriculture #ncAgForum
Commissioner Troxler presented Dr. Brown with the N.C. Ambassador of Agriculture award for his many years of service to #NCagriculture, including his work on the tobacco buyout and being a resource in many other ways over decades of work. Thank you Dr. Brown. #ncAgForum
#HappeningNow: Panel discussion on the effect the war on Ukraine has had on N.C. Ag Exports and trade. Our industry truly does make an impact globally. #NCAgriculture #ncAgForum
One effect of the war is an increase in acres grown of many crops in N.C. (except cotton) because of decreased production and exporting from Ukraine. Another effect: cost of equipment manufacturing + labor and lacking supply of parts.
Recession/inflation & other economic factors have reduced demand/consumption of cotton. “We’ve seen devastation in the cotton industry already,” says Mike Quinn, VP of cotton operations @gildancorp. “And hopefully we’ve seen the bottom,” adds assistant commissioner Sandy Stewart.
“The disruptions are out there, and I don’t think we can expect them to just stop in 2023,” Stewart says. #NCagriculture #ncAgForum
Now speaking at the #NCagriculture #ncAgForum, Ted McKinney, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (@NASDAnews)! We have worked with Ted and NASDA on many occasions and are honored to have him as a speaker today. #NCAgriculture #ncAgForum
Among McKinney’s many points: pay attention to what’s going on in the South China Sea. America needs to maintain access to countries in that area or risk losing large trade/export opportunities. Also, don’t overlook India. #NCagriculture #ncAgForum
McKinney also worries about regulations in the EU and how it could lead to far less production and a great burden on American imports. He sees great opportunity for agreements in Great Britain and the Asia-Pacific area. #NCAgriculture #ncAgForum
Join us in congratulating Flowers Timber Company of Seven Springs in Wayne County on being named our 2022 Exporter of the Year! Established in 1976, this second-generation forestry supplier & sawmill has made quite a difference in the community & beyond. #NCAgriculture #ncAgForum
Flowers Timber Company exports to China, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, Cambodia and Spain. Last year, they recorded $15 million in exports! That is a significant contribution to our state's forestry and agriculture industry! #NCAgriculture #ncAgForum
Again, congratulations to Flowers Timber Company! #NCagriculture #ncAgForum
As the smell of lunch begins to fill the building, Commissioner Troxler says, "The agriculture industry is so important because it doesn't just feed us every day, but several times a day." His State of Agriculture address is now underway. #NCagriculture #ncAgForum
Troxler mentions a good year for yields and commodity prices as some good trend lines in the last year. "I remain optimistic about the future of N.C. Agriculture and agribusiness, but I worry about people being able to afford it." #NCAgriculture #ncAgForum
Troxler: “The only reason we’re able to do what we’re doing is research.” … “We won’t be able to continue feeding as many people if we just sit on our laurels though.” Many other factors (such as war) are headwinds.
Troxler sees the greatest challenge as current population dynamics. Fewer people farming; NC is one of the fastest growing states, & with more people, it’s affecting agriculture. The American @Farmland Trust predicts NC is 2nd in potential farmland loss by 2040. Need smart growth
“I don’t ever see Farmland Preservation coming off the priority list because of the development taking place across this state and because of the interest in our state as a business destination," Troxler says. #ncagriculture #ncAgForum
"We continue to rally support for Farmland Preservation so we can secure the resources future generations need," Troxler says. "In 2022, NCDA&CS topped 30,000 acres protected through our Ag Development & Farm Preservation Trust Fund since its beginning - a great milestone.”
Troxler mentions energy resources (power/electric/heating/fuel) as a burden brought by population growth. He also says an influx of people to NC urban areas could affect politics, as many of those people are generations away from farm connections. Who they elect will affect ag.
As for 2023 priorities, "I will characterize my priorities for this legislative session in one word: investment," said Troxler. He wants investment in people (salaries) investment in our natural resources through farmland preservation and investment in ag research.
Thank you for joining us for this year’s #ncAgForum. Let’s have lunch! …and don’t forget to thank a farmer. #ncagriculture
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