Expected reductions in farm subsidies would be just one more problem
"It's going to have a tremendous impact," said John S. Nye, executive
Congress is considering changes in government subsidies to farmers as
"My fear is it's going to force another layer of people to quit the
The agriculture portfolio at his bank already "is under a tremendous
Low prices for cattle have pounded Citizens' business in that sector,
Mr. Nye, who is president of the Kansas Ag Bankers, said agriculture
"Right now we're not anticipating another payment," he said.
But not long ago, payments were about 25% of wheat farmers' income, he
Because wheat prices have been high this year, "we tend to forget how
If payments are cut, the hardest hit will be the medium-size farmers who
That kind of customer is "more than likely the least trained," Mr. Nye
Like many rural banks, Citizens has focused on farm marketing, offering
Farm lenders say their customers don't do enough in this area, and Mr.
The changes in the industry may well make bankers and farmers smarter,
When Mr. Nye heads to Texhoma, Okla., next month to become executive
"I don't want to sound like an alarmist, and I don't want anyone to run