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Farmers adjust farming practices to mitigate production challenges

From water rights to labor — farmers say challenges remain in crop production.

Texas Panhandle farmer Jaime Rocha says water is running out in his area.  “That’s going to be the biggest issue within the next 5 to 10 years,” he says. 

He tells Brownfield he’s already considering future changes to his operation.  “Incorporating different practices,” he says.  “Like instead of taking corn to grain to maybe silage where you don’t have to water it as long.  Obviously, crop selection is a big part – you know we’re not guaranteed to be able to grow corn in this area in 10 years.”  Rocha typically raises corn and cotton — but storms and widespread flooding wiped his cotton crop out this year and he planted milo instead.  

AUDIO: Jamie Rocha, Texas farmer

Scott Gibson raises rice and soybeans in Eastern Arkansas.  He says while agriculture has become more efficient — labor still remains a challenge.  “It’s not just something where you can go hire anybody and say go drive this semi-trailer truck,” he says.  “You really want someone who is going to invest in it and you have to invest in them.”

Gibson says today’s labor challenges are very different than they were 20 and 30 years ago.  He says he’s had a couple of long-term employees on his operation — but recently had to utilize the H2-A labor program. 

AUDIO: Arkansas farmer Scott Gibson

Brownfield interviewed Rocha and Gibson during Helena’s 2023 Innovation Expo in Memphis, Tennessee.