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Farmers talk industry concerns at Husker Harvest Days
Drought, input costs and the EPA’s proposal to restrict atrazine are some of the concerns for growers at this year’s Husker Harvest Days.
Each season presents a unique set of challenges for farmers and this year is no exception.
South Central Nebraska farmer Andy Jobman says any restriction of atrazine could limit crop production and limit sustainability efforts. “You would have an increase in tillage…you’re going to see an increase in prices of other chemicals because there is less competition in the market and because there’s less product available, too.”
Farmer Greg Anderson says fertilizer and seed prices continue to climb. “I talked to several different seed companies and they’re probably up 8 to 10 percent for next year.”
East Central Nebraska farmer Dan Wesley farms an hour north of Lincoln and says drought has impacted stalk integrity. “Some of the tops have blown off here with this last rain. It gave everything it could into the ear and so the plant has to suffer, and it gave it up in stalk quality.”
Wesley says he expects harvest to start next week.
Brownfield interviewed them at 2022 Husker Harvest Days in Grand Island, NE.
Is atrazine harmful to humans?
Atrazine has a lot of adverse effect on health such as tumors, breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers as well as leukemia and lymphoma. It is an endocrine disrupting chemical interrupting regular hormone function and causing birth defects, reproductive tumors, and weight loss in amphibians as well as humans.