By mid-July we were really starting to sweat and not just because the thermometer read 38ºC. Luckily for us, the rains did eventually fall. For some it was a little too late. For others, they continued to wait and pray.
If you are dealing with drought-stressed crops this fall, I encourage you to read Robert Larmer’s article (Click here to read). He addresses how to deal with drought-stressed corn during harvest and at feedout.
As I said earlier, the effects of this drought will affect most people in one way or another, even if you are harvesting crops with record yields this fall.
As the drought also hit most of the U.S. Corn Belt, we are seeing very high prices at harvest, which does not bode well for what is to come this winter, spring and summer.
Feed prices will be high, putting a tighter squeeze on margins. Seed and fertiliser prices for next year’s crop will also follow suit. If you haven’t already, now is the time to begin planning your input strategy for next season.
While watching plants struggle in the heat, we cannot forget about the financial and personal stress a drought can also bring.
Craig Bremner discusses the challenges brought about by these growing conditions and provides insight on how to balance your input prices, work with your banker and keep in contact with your insurance agent (Click here to read).
Bremner also shares some of the silver lining to the drought in helping those that may be able to take advantage of selling a crop at these higher prices.
Lastly, it will take some time for the challenges we’re seeing today to trickle down to the consumer. By then, I’m sure the drought will be long forgotten to many of those who were not directly affected.
Therefore, be sure to take advantage of any opportunity you may have to continue to educate others about agriculture. Click here to read how Brian and Erin Anderson not only built a dairy to achieve their farming dreams but to also provide tours and learning opportunities for young and old. PD
Karen Lee
Editor
Progressieve Dairyman magazin
