OSKALOOSA —
Everyone has to deal with the dry heat we’ve had this summer. For Mahaska County farmers, this means an impact on their livelihood.
On Wednesday afternoon, the ISU Extension Office in Oskaloosa hosted a Webinar to inform people about what the drought has meant for farmers and what it could mean in the coming weeks. Numerous experts in several areas of agriculture spoke to the audience via the Webinar whose screen was projected behind Bob Wells, who works with Agriculture Economics and Farm Management from the Mahaska County ISU Extension Office. Wells helped submit questions from the audience using the Webinar connection Wednesday afternoon.
Among those who spoke was Roger Elmore, ISU Extension Corn Specialist. Elmore is also a professor of Agronomy at Iowa State University. Elmore discussed the important points about corn development during a drought.
In talking about corn yields during harvest time, Elmore said the key components of corn yields will be the plant population, the numbers of ears of corn per plant, as well as kernels per ear and kernel weight. He noted that environmental stress can impact these areas, which are linked to corn yield.
Elmore noted that individual yields can still be good, while many farmers will be impacted by the drought.
Elwynn Taylor, a professor of Ag Meteorology at ISU, provided some insight into recent and future weather conditions.
“We’re not in good company, as far as the weather goes,” said Taylor.
Taylor discussed the impact of the weather phenomenon El Nino, calling it the friend of the Midwest farmer. With that being said, Taylor noted that temperatures during the remainder of July will continue to be warm.
Alison Robertson, who works with plant pathology with ISU Extension, talked about three potential diseases that could harm crops in a drought environment. She noted that a farmer’s insurance adjuster should be made aware of the presence of any of these plant diseases. Robertson also explained the symptoms associated with certain crop diseases.
Dan Loy, a professor of Animal Science at ISU, discussed the stresses a drought can have on pastures and CRP, as well.
The Webinar at the ISU Extension Office in Oskaloosa also had scheduled Chad Hart, assistant professor of economics at ISU, to discuss crop insurance, as well as prices and outlook. Hart is also an Extension economist and a grain markets specialist.
Stephen Barnhart, a professor of Agronomy at ISU, was also slated to speak to the audience via the Webinar.
ISU professor of Animal Science Dan Morrical was also on hand to provide insight as far as alternative crops are concerned during the Webinar.
ISU Extension and Outreach has put together a list of resources to help people learn about the droughts impact on crops, livestock, financial concerns and other issues. Those interested in these issues area encouraged to visit www.extension.iastate.edu/topic/recovering-disasters.
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Herald City Editor Andy Goodell can be reached at news2@oskyherald.com.
Local News
July 28, 2012
ISU Extension drought Webinar offers insight
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