MUSINGS OF THE BEGGARS APPRENTICE

                                  CAN IT GET ANY WORSE?                                                    AS A PART TIME AGRONOMIST, IT HAS BEEN AN INCREASINGLY TOUGH TIME FOR THE FARM AND RANCHING INDUSTRY. WITH HIGHER PRICES ON FUEL AND FERTILIZER, MAD COW DISEASE, TARRIFS CAUSING MARKETS TO CLOSE, FAUX HERPES IN HOGS, AVIAN FLU, AND THE ECONOMY RESULTING IN LESS DEMAND FOR THEIR PRODUCTS, YOU HAVE TO ASK YOURSELF "CAN IT GET ANY WORSE? THE ANSWER IS YES IT CAN.