for a griculture? By Joel Schettler THE BIG IDEAS THAT WILL SHAPE THE INDUSTRY’S FUTURE L ike most Midwest crop producers, Darin Moen worries about the eff ect falling commodity prices will have on his sugar beet, wheat, barley and soybean farm near Alvarado, Minn. “We’ve dropped 40 percent on commodity prices the past two or three years, with input costs that are virtually the same. That’s something I definitely lose sleep over.” Commodity price isn’t the only issue producers face. Other trends, from growing world populations to changing farm demographics, are beginning to come together as they impact American agriculture. Developments in technology may lead to issues involving regulation. Innovations in seed technology could trigger an international trade dispute. Cooperative leaders, producers and other thought leaders have highlighted a few of today’s trends that will shape tomorrow’s agriculture. With change comes opportunity, but such unsettling times can be both frightening and invigorating. > Your CHS Connection 7