On Feb. 26, 2007, the Butler County agricultural community lost a good friend with the passing of Michael Mostowy.

Mike was the retired County Executive Director for the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS), now the Farm Service Agency. Mike was well known to producers and earned the respect of all of those who he worked with during his career.

Mike and Robert Rugaber were instrumental in starting the annual Bullshipper Award during Farm-City Week.

Mike's career with ASCS ran for 30 years. In that time, he visited nearly every farm in the county. There would have been very few roads that Mike would not have traveled. When I started with ASCS, after about three days, I came to realize no one can replace Mike.

Mike was so well known and respected that he leaves behind not just family but an agricultural community that was, in many ways, his farming family.

I conclude this with something Mike said at his retirement party: "I have always supported farmers, for I know how hard they work — I cannot give them enough respect."

True words from Michael Mostowy.

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Over the last several months grain prices have increased substantially; most notably, corn and soybeans.

Corn seems to get more attention in this area since corn is produced on 35,000 acres in the three-county region compared to 6,500 acres of soybeans.

Ethanol is the buzz word that has many producers talking. Currently ethanol is derived from corn but, in the future, research is proving cellulose products, such as switchgrass, or wood byproducts could also be used.

Since there is an increasing demand for corn as the ingredient for ethanol, corn prices have rebounded 100 percent from prices received just a few years ago.

This fact has far reaching consequences, which will not be fully realized for months or years. It is understandable that there are many different perspectives on the situation. Depending on the farm operation or consumer, the following are legitimate issues that will play out:

• How many acres will be converted to corn production?

• How high will production costs go before producers switch to other crops?

• Will there be a plentiful supply of hay and other forage crops?

• Will the price of food increase to consumers?

• Will milk, pork, beef and poultry production be limited due to higher corn prices?

• Will high corn prices carry over to milk, pork, beef and poultry?

• If the livestock sector limits production due to rising feed costs, will hay, pasture and other forage crops become better utilized?

• If forage crops are being used to the fullest extent, will there be adequate supplies for the large equine industry?

• Will more grain storage be built on farms or at local elevators?

Someone could go on and on with projected events that could take place. The way I see it, at least locally, there will not be a substantial change to plant more corn for a few reasons:

• Marginal land is not profitable

• Livestock farms still need forage crops

• Cost of production is very high at $350 per acre

• Existing crop rotation would be compromised

• Limited grain storage and drying facilities on many farms.

It could be that the best advice is to make planting arrangements for 2007 similar to any other year with a very sharp pencil.

Luke Fritz is executive director of the Butler County Farm Service Agency.