Sugar Producer

www.SugarProducer.com 23 Max Yield From the Ground Up 1-800-288-8128 • www.tgschmeiser.com Better Soil Prep For a Higher Yield Max Yield From the Ground Up From the Ground Up 30' Till an' Bedder™ Seed Bed Maker Soil preparation equipment from TG Schmeiser is engineered to provide maximum productivity per acre. Versatile implements till, mulch, cultivate and firm the soil for optimum seed germination. C M Y CM MY CY CMY K 2016MaxYield4.6x4.6FINAL.pdf 1 11/24/15 1:59 PM 157796TGSchme13.indd 1 12/3/15 11:27 AM Prices start at $2500 per row The new Schlagel Rapid Till is designed to pull easier, be easier to follow, and perform better at higher speeds due to its lighter weight and new style shank. The Rapid Till runs up to eight miles per hour, tills up to ten inches deep, applies fertilizer in multiple zones, and makes a perfect seed bed. The Schlagel Rapid Till is available in many configurations up to 24 rows and row widths as narrow as 20 inches on a single bar. 1-888-889-1504 www.schlagel.net SCHLAGEL M F G RAPID TILL STRIP TILL SYSTEM 159054SchMfg13.indd 1 2/9/16 8:34 AM including land, labor, equipment, fuel, and inputs—have risen and tightened producers' returns. • Not surprisingly, over the same 25-year period, sugar factories have shut down and employment in the U.S. sugar industry has fallen by 40 percent. • The global sugar market, which many food makers favor, is a volatile dump market distorted by unfair government policies around the globe. As a result, its prices don't cover production costs and its supplies aren't reliable for buyers. • The U.S. has provided a safety net for sugar producers for more than 200 years in response to the heavily subsidized and distorted world sugar market. • The only policy gaps during that time occurred from 1975-76 and 1980-81 when U.S. sugar policy was not renewed. On both occasions, U.S. sugar prices skyrocketed and harmed consumers and food manufacturers. • The current policy is operating without cost to the taxpayer and has helped ensure sugar prices for U.S. grocery shoppers that are below global averages. Outlaw and Richardson fear that if sugar policy critics aren't mindful of the past and continue to push damaging legislation, then consumers, food manufacturers and rural communities alike could get burned. Specifically, they warned lawmakers that: "By proposing to weaken the safety net for U.S. sugar farmers to levels that were in place when more than half of American sugar processors closed, the result would be three-fold; 1) further injury to U.S. sugar farmers and processors at those times when they require a safety net and food manufacturers are already benefiting from low market prices for sugar; 2) further depressed prices received by producers, loan forfeitures and U.S. taxpayer costs; and 3) ultimately, a substantial loss of U.S. sugar farmers and processors and, consequently, lower domestic sugar supplies and higher prices paid by food manufacturers, which they will pass on to consumers." Well said, gentlemen. It is obvious that America is best served by maintaining the existing sugar policy structure and focusing its attention on eradicating the direct and indirect foreign subsidies and government programs that are preventing a global free market from forming. n Editor's note: Contact Phillip at phillip@sugaralliance.org.

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