Farmers in the nation’s heartland are dealing with a severe drought that has the potential to lead to the smallest wheat crop since the 1960s.
The state is the largest producer of winter wheat and, according to the USDA, produces about 332 million bushels a year.
“When the wheat came out of winter dormancy, it did not look very good,” said Lisa Schemm, a wheat farmer in Sharon Springs, Kansas. “We did end up with some rains in late April and May, which was great for our wheat crop, but if you went 30 miles south, it was too late.” “When we have gotten storms, they’re coming with massive amounts of hail, and any little hailstone or even a 40- or 50-mph wind will start to shake the stock and cause the berries to drop,” said Schemm.
Even with the decrease in wheat production from the recent droughts, Schemm says the country won’t run out of wheat.“When we get short on moisture, what happens is it puts all of its energy into the reproductive parts of the plant. So, in essence, the wheat flower will end up with higher protein,” Schemm stated., the nation won’t run out of wheat, but exports could be reduced depending on production.
“Mid-June dryness and drought can lead to a widespread drought like in 2012, resulting in large yield losses,” . “However, the possibility of large yield losses is not a foregone conclusion. Any rain between now and early July could mitigate current dry conditions.”
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