Crude oil prices are now well over $50 per barrel. Everyone is well aware of this hike since the gasoline price at the pump continues to rise. One can only wonder whether oil prices will ever recede to a more reasonable level.

I recently questioned some oil industry officials and specifically asked if prices will ever go back down. The answer is always the same, "we can't say for sure, but all indications are 'no'." Expect $2 per gallon gasoline for the foreseeable future.

Crude oil prices can cripple an economy. Hopefully we can avert a major economic downturn, but it will be challenging. Crude prices have a direct impact on so many items other than gasoline.

For farmers, energy in one form or another is essential. Even the Amish are being affected by high energy costs, since they utilize gasoline and diesel engines on their farms and saw mills.

High energy costs are hitting everyone, but some of the ways it is affecting agriculture may go unnoticed. Consider the cost to heat a greenhouse - whether by heating oil, electric, natural gas or propane. Can these excessive energy costs be passed on the customers? Of course they can, but sales may decline.

The price of crude oil has a direct correlation to diesel fuel, gasoline and all other petroleum products, but it also has an indirect connection to so many other items. For example, most fertilizer most is over $300 per ton due to high natural gas prices. Since oil is high, so is natural gas.

Many producers are planning to utilize no-till with crop preparation and planting this year to minimize fuel consumption.

Anyway you look at it, high crude oil prices affect all of us in more ways then we choose to think.

If you have bought, sold or are renting different land, make sure you report the changes to the FSA office as soon as possible. For farm ownership changes you will need to provide a recorded deed or recorded land contract. Failure to maintain accurate records with FSA on all land you have an interest in can lead to possible program ineligibility.

It is the producer's responsibility to notify FSA of any changes in their farming operation or entity status throughout the year.Changes that may affect a determination include, a change in contract shares of a contract which may reflect change of land lease; modification of a variable/fixed bushel rent arrangement; a change in the size of the producer's farming operation; a change in the structure of the farming operation - including any change in the member's shares; a change in the contributions of farm inputs of capital, equipment, active personal labor, or active personal management; and a change of farming interest not previously disclosed on CCC-502 or update, including the farming interests of a spouse or minor child.