For many farmers and ranchers to do well, others have to struggle. In those countries with adequate grain storage and delivery systems, and a reasonably good standard of living that comes from having some cash, there is too much food available for farmers to be able to charge much for it.

Look for American pork producers, and cow-calf producers and feeders to some degree, to benefit from the decision this week to prohibit all live animals from the European Union from entering the U.S. There will be less imported livestock for slaughter, and American breeding stock may be needed to rebuild herds once the danger is passed. The decision was made to prevent the highly contagious hoof and mouth disease from ravaging American livestock operations.

And ravage it would, so aggressively that the threat has to be giving producers in this country pause. While hoof and mouth disease doesn’t infect humans, it travels like wildfire thorough livestock. The result is sickly animals that don’t thrive, and there is no cure.

Press reports cite more than 150,000 animals slaughtered or targeted for slaughter in Britain, Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands in the last three weeks, with recent outbreaks across the Channel in France triggering the defensive move by the United States Department of Agriculture.

The world is small and growing smaller, and the danger of infection crossing the ocean is great. The USDA, and member-supported beef and pork organizations in this country, should be preparing for the worst. If (or when) the hoof and mouth disease reaches this country, the government and trade groups will have to move quickly to contain the disease and reassure consumers.

As soon as we think we are masters of our fate, along comes another example that we’re not.

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On a happier agricultural note, this weekend is the annual Four States Agricultural Exposition at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds a few miles east of Cortez. It’s the largest exhibition of agricultural equipment and service providers in the Four Corners, and a good start to the growing and birthing season that is just around the corner.

Haying and tillage equipment will be on display, and there will be some 45 hours of educational seminars for cattle and horse owners. Learn to school your horse, improve your dog’s cattle moving skills and identify diseases. Watch the beef cattle show. Emergency medical technicians will teach the basics of treating machinery-caused accidents, and injuries from livestock.

Water and soil conservation districts will have informational booths as well.

Even if your spread consists of only a dozen acres and a couple horses, or you’re just looking for a small tractor, you’ll find something of interest at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds this weekend. Events begin Thursday at noon, but Friday and Saturday are the featured days, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, and 9 to 5 on Saturday. Entry is $1.

Food is available, too.