With drought-stressed Corn Belt crops, growers concerns about supplying their product are increasing. Tamara Nelsen with Illinois Farm Bureau says some of the corn in Illinois is already gone.
“There’s some areas where they’re plowing it under because the bottom of the stalks is completely yellow, it’s already died. So, the top might look green but the bottom’s already yellow. It’s not going to produce a cob and it’s not going to have any moisture.”
Nelsen tells Brownfield growers want to be able to supply their product, “It worries us from the standpoint of being able to supply the folks who buy our product whether it’s domestic or international. We don’t want to be seen as a bad supplier.”
Nelsen says these kinds of weather anomalies happen somewhere every year, but Nelsen says, these hot, dry conditions came much earlier than usual for Illinois and many other states.
“When they happen in Brazil and Argentina we’re very happy because the prices go up for our guys. But when something happens that is this widespread (in the U.S.) it’s quite concerning for everybody.”
Brazil and Argentina’s crops are down as well from weather stress in South America.
Nelsen says the wild card for Illinois and other U.S. growers will be some of the hybrids that may be able to stand up to the drought conditions.
Illinois Farm Bureau will be sending a delegation to Washington, DC as early as next week to discuss their concerns over crop losses.
© Copyright 2012 Brownfield, All rights Reserved. Written For: Brownfield
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