In response to the Feb. 17 article, "Wheat prices rise … fear of possible shortage looms":

There is no shortage of spring wheat, there is only the matter of price. This may be shocking, but let it be an eye-opener with a common-sense answer.

We did have a good crop of spring wheat this year, with prices at harvest in the $5 per bushel range. As demand for spring wheat increased, many farmers reached the point of getting into a higher tax bracket. If they were to get $22 a bushel for their wheat, their net would be approximately $13 per bushel after taxes.

We are in a drought area from Canada to southern Texas.There are crops that can be grown that are more drought tolerant with considerably less input costs than wheat.

With the high cost of land, machinery, fertilizer, fungicides, seed, fuel, repairs, chemicals and chemical application, labor, taxes, crop insurance, hail insurance and more, the cost of seeding an acre of wheat will be approximately $200 or more. If we get timely rains and raise a crop, then comes the threat of hail, disease and high temperatures destroying our crops.

If we are fortunate enough to get a crop, there is the high cost of harvesting, combining, swathing, trucking, storing, fall chemical application and other incidentals, adding another $40 per acre or more.

We have heard that a group of people advocates ending all wheat exports. If this were to happen, be assured there will be little spring wheat seeded. Everyone in this state and country benefits from higher commodity prices. Where would our foreign trade balance be today if it were not for farmers?

With the improved commodity prices received by farmers, they may now be able to afford to buy new or upgraded machinery, trucks, cars, appliances, farm buildings or a new house they could only dream about for many years.

Everyone benefits from money received by farmers going back into the economy. Think about it.

We have been farming for 61 years and have not received one retirement check. Farming is easy if your pencil is your plow and you are 1,000 miles from a corn field.