YOUR TEXAS AGRICULTURE MINUTE

A future of higher food costs? 

By Gene Hall

Are we looking at a future of higher food prices? There are always adjustments in prices based on supply and demand. However, we may be looking at something that might become a permanent part of our food costs. Guess who will pay that? Consumers will.

Animal rights activists have been very successful at persuading egg companies to adopt cage-free systems. While all that is still voluntary, you should price compare free-range, cage-free and more conventional eggs. You’ll notice significant price differences.

Some companies think we all will have to buy food labeled to follow the Vermont GMO labeling law that has more holes than a chicken cage. Anyone who thinks all that won’t cost more is kidding themselves. Labels must be accurate unless you’re willing to take the seller’s word for it.

Then there’s the federal government itself–layer after layer of increasing regulations every year. Modern agriculture is all about efficiency. But regulations cost money.

The preceding commentary is brought to you by Texas Farm Bureau, the “Voice of Texas Agriculture.” Called “Your Texas Agriculture Minute,” TFB will issue thought-provoking editorials each week—via print and audio—to spark understanding of agriculture in the Lone Star State and its impact on each and every Texan.

You may read this week’s editorial above or listen to the audio version.

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