Economic Pulse: No silver bullet to sustain nation’s farm economy

Many conversations are underway about solutions for the farm economy — from creating new demand for agricultural products here at home through the Buy America effort and increased biofuel production to expanding current export opportunities and developing new ones.This year’s spike in farm operational costs created a series of shocks that knocked down farmers’ profits and sent many even further into the red.Ideas to lower input costs range from producing more fertilizer and other farm supplies domestically to protecting shipping routes and advancing research into new tools that protect against insects, weeds and plant diseases.There is no silver bullet that sets up U.S. agriculture for a vibrant future, but each of us has an opportunity to contribute.Shoppers should remember that food prices on the shelf tell you little about what farm families earn, and it’s important to seek out accurate information about agriculture.As some of the most trusted people in America, every farmer and ran