Podcast: Some silver linings from the drought

In this podcast, Steve Ebke, a farmer from Daykin and member of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, recognizes that while this year's drought certainly created challenges and frustrations for those involved in agriculture, there are a few silver linings that Rick Tolman, CEO of the National Corn Grower Association, said are worth considering.

The importance of risk management and crop insurance are two key points. The impact of the drought will be mitigated by the widespread adoption of crop insurance and the shift in farm policy to focus more on risk management.

"Another silver lining is that we are seeing the value of advanced seed technology," Ebke said. "If you compare this year to 1988, the last time we had a major drought, corn plants are much healthier and more robust. While yields are still down significantly nationally, they will likely end up 30 to 35 bushels per acre more than in 1988 – even though this year’s drought is worse."

That leads right into modern agronomic and production methods adopted by farmers across the country. Some have compared this year’s drought to the drought that led to the dust bowl in the 1930s. Yet there is no dust bowl. And there is little concern there will be one.


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