By: Gabe Duncanson, Agricultural Communication & Marketing Major Harvest by definition is the process of gathering crops. When looking at the definition this sounds like a pretty simple thing, and that’s what it used to be. But today, a process that used to be much simpler now involves new challenges; from changing weather patterns to fewer farmers feeding more people. In fact, only 1.3 percent of the population feeds more than 300 million people. This rapid change in the agriculture industry has been both challenging and unclear for all farmers. Last summer I had the unique opportunity to see farms all around the country and observe the ways that they have been able to overcome obstacles in their individual situations. The summer began with wheels running in Kentucky with some amazing farmers.
We started winter wheat harvest the day after I arrived. I quickly began to notice differences in the issues farmers face across the country. I spent my summer on six different farms in five different states. At every farm there were common trends and key challenges that they and everyone in their neighborhood had to combat. There were also individual challenges on a farm-to-farm basis. I have listed some of the most common trends and challenges I noticed below. Common Regional Farming Challenges:
Farmers are at a place they never thought they would be when it comes to equipment. For a long time in the past farmers would not be able to harvest as fast as they like, but now we are no longer waiting on speed of crops coming out of the field. With combines, tractors, and semis operating at faster speeds farmers are now struggling with infrastructure that often cannot handle the amount of grain coming from the fields. The overall number of bushels harvested is higher because it can be picked faster then ever before. Old grain handling facilities mostly built in the 90's and early 2000's aren’t able to manage the harvest. My summer was one that I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to experience. The experience wasn’t anything traditional because I got on hands experience and was able to meet some of the greatest people in the country who have proved through years of experience that they know how to farm even in the face of challenges.
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January 2020
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