Drought Destroys Corn -- And Also Bad Farming Practices

The FDA estimates that large quantities of corn has been lost in areas worst affected by drought. One of those regions is around where I live. Being a gardener, I was able to directly monitor how quickly the soil evaporated. My tomatoes near the ground were baked by the heat. I had to bring in the winter squash early.

I can also say that plenty of my plants did just fine. This is because the ground was mulched over and also because my gardening practices are more sound than agribusiness. Mulching maintains humus which does a better job of retaining moisture and nutrients. My plants also have adequate spacing.

All in all, I blame the crop failures on inadequate crop spacing. Farmers are encouraged to increase yields by reducing crop spacing. This works in mild years but is a killer in hot years. This is because closely spaced crop have less latitude when they are stressed. Properly spaced plants have moisture and nutrients in reserve.

When the ground is hot then the soil dries out. It does so faster if it is feeding hungry corn plants. Plants of all variety transpire water and contribute to moisture loss. If farmers want to save their corn, then they need either superior irrigation or better crop spacing.

Trying to increase yield is going to have bad consequences in freak years. It is much better to give plants enough space and play averages. It also helps if the soil has plenty of organic matter and also mulching. Organic practices are much better for plants and yields better under adverse conditions.

 

I call that hitting the nail on the head.

Organic gardening/farming/planet stewardship is what we should have been doing, but, as a planet haven't. In this old hippie farmer's opinion, the forces of short term greed have been allowed to win out over long term sustainability. And as in our gardens, also the world as a whole, we shall reap as has been sown.

Again in my opinion, I think it is too late to prevent "global warming", which I call it "Rapid Climate Change". Arguments are still on going as to if it real or not, those who believe it is real are arguing as to how to prevent it, and none of that matters now. Several years ago, perhaps as many as 20 years ago, the planet passed the "tipping point". I think we [as a planet] would be better off thinking about how to deal with the changes to come, etc., but I hold very, very, little hope that will happen.

To me that means alone or in groups or our families (depending on your own definition of "family"], we need to work on our own plan for the future.

Peace,
poor_old_dad

 

Mark my words the midwestern U.S. is one bad pitch away from another dust bowl. We'll see how opposed to "socialism" the farmers are in my neck of the woods when that happens.

 

I wouldn't worry about the farmers too much. Agri-business is very powerfull and the checks will be in the mail for any losses. Those with small or subsistance farms will be dicked,of course. I know this because I grew up in the "bread-basket of the world"--the San Joaquin Valley.

 

While I certainly agree about Agribusiness being powerful, the smaller farmers are being squeezed by weather on one side and cut basks on the other.

The Repugnant-ones in Congress are now arguing among themselves about how much to cut the farm bill (so there can be more military spending). http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/13/u...lture-committee-agrees-on-farm-bill.html?_r=1

Peace,
poor_old_dad

 

I want to talk about proper plant spacing and look where the conversation takes you.