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What Ohio consumers and farmers think of animal agriculture was a highlight of the Ohio Livestock Coalition’s annual industry symposium, held April 3 in Plain City.

Jeff Sharp, associate professor of rural sociology at Ohio State University, discussed the results of a 2006 mail survey of Ohio consumers. This survey has been conducted every two years since 2000. Sharp said the analysis of each survey has begun to reveal some trends on how Ohio consumers feel about farmers and the environment.

"We’re pretty confident the survey accurately captures the diversity of Ohioans and is representative of the state," Sharp said.

He said that, generally, those living in northwest Ohio feel they are more knowledgeable about Ohio agriculture and that younger Ohioans feel they are not as knowledgeable about agriculture as older Ohioans.

That age differential could be a cause for concern, Sharp said. "As the older generation passes on and is succeeded by the younger generation, what will be the implication?"

He attributed the age differential to a closer relationship to the farm for older Ohioans, as they probably either lived on a farm or had a close relative who was a farmer. But younger Ohioans find themselves two, maybe even three or four, generations removed from the farm, Sharp said.

He also cautioned the audience that the source of information about agriculture is changing. In the past, people got their information about farming directly from farmers. Today, that information can come from television or Internet resources, which may or may not be accurate, he said.

A 2006 survey of soybean farmers revealed some interesting viewpoints – and not ones that necessarily benefit the livestock industry, according to Jamie Mossbarger, director of legislative affairs for the Ohio Soybean Association (OSA) and the communications director for the Ohio Soybean Council (OSC).

Mossbarger said that less than two-thirds of those surveyed agreed that soybean producers should protect Ohio’s hog and poultry industry. Those producers felt the soybean industry would be better off investing funds to determine new uses for soybeans.

About 38 percent felt the best way to reduce relocation and reduction of livestock producers to other states was to better educate grain producers and consumers about the benefits of livestock production. But the survey numbers show that soybean producers as a whole don’t realize how important the livestock industry is to their bottom lines.

"I don’t think some producers realize how much one industry relies on the other," Mossbarger said. "The livestock industry is our No. 1 soybean customer."

Mossbarger assured the OLC audience that OSA is "constantly communicating the importance of the livestock industry in the consumption of soymeal. … It still remains a challenge to demonstrate to (grain) farmers how important livestock is to the soybean industry." She said there was a "lack of understanding of the pivotal role" of livestock on the soybean industry.

Mossbarger added the survey showed a "significant increase in the optimism of soybean farmers," as more than half of those surveyed held a positive view of the future for their operations.

"We’re excited about the success of this year’s industry meeting," said Sandy Kuhn, executive director of the Ohio Livestock Coalition (OLC). "We heard some important details in how we can improve our industry and we recognized some deserving operations for the positive impacts they have on our communities."

Caption: Six Ohio farms were honored with 2007 Environmental Stewardship Awards from the Ohio Livestock Coalition and seven agricultural producer organizations. Representing the farms are, from left, Carl Bowman from Bowman and Landes Turkey Farm; Chris Weaver from Bridgewater Dairy; Curt Cline from Cline Sheep Farm; Lois Stoll from Stoll Select Cattle Farm; Ellen Joslin from Joslin Grain; and Irv Bell from Bell Pork Farm. Photo by Susie Taylor