Complete Story
2012 Drought: A Message from ODA Director Daniels; Available Resources and Information
Helping Farmers, Our Favorite Entrepreneurs
By David T. Daniels, Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture
Farming is never an easy way of life, with some years more trying than others. Each year represents a roll of the dice and the uncertain possibility of a boon or a bust. This year is no different as weather challenges once again plague farmers. Mathematically, this year’s agricultural drought is the worst we’ve seen in 50 years. To the non-farmer, drought means brown grass and the inconvenience of having to water gardens and flowers. To the farmer, it means thousands of dollars invested in the season’s crops are literally hanging in the balance.
This hot and dry weather is wreaking havoc on crop production right now. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Office, 50 percent of the state’s corn crop is currently rated ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’. That means half of the 3.9 million acres of corn planted in the state this year may be barely usable. Soybeans are also taking a hit, with 37 percent of the crop in less than fair condition.
Things have gone downhill quickly. Those figures for corn have doubled in the last five weeks. Around 81 percent of the topsoil in the state has an inadequate amount of moisture to grow crops well. That means, even if it starts raining today, much of the corn in the state is beyond help. There will be farmers in Ohio who planted fields that may produce almost nothing. Imagine that for a moment. This is the equivalent of working hard at your job and then not receiving a paycheck.
The effects of this drought are far and wide-reaching. The livestock producers in the state are going to be hit hard this fall. Drought conditions are not conducive to good hay, and if livestock aren’t eating hay, they’re eating corn or grain. With yields for those crops shrinking, the cost of feed come harvest time will be very high.
Across the nation, farming is still an industry of family businesses. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 98 percent of farms are family owned and account for 82 percent of farm production. In Ohio, the food and agriculture industry is of critical importance to the overall business climate of the state. It adds $105 billion each year to the economy and employs 1 in 7 people with jobs.
Governor Kasich is fond of saying farmers are his favorite entrepreneurs. He understands the importance of agriculture to our economy, and that Ohio farmers could use some help. That’s why the governor just signed an Executive Order that will provide much-needed assistance, to make sure they are not forced to abandon their fields or herds.
The Executive Order asks the U.S. Department of Agriculture to designate Ohio as an agricultural drought disaster area, so that Ohio farmers can access much-needed resources from the Farm Service Agency to help them feed their animals and purchase seed so they can plant next year. It directs the Ohio Department of Agriculture to hold meetings around the state to help connect Ohio farmers to those federal resources, if or when they become available. The Department of Agriculture will come up with a website to connect farmers who may have grown more hay than they need, to farmers who don’t have enough to feed their herds. In addition, it will direct the Ohio Department of Transportation to waive oversize load limit permits for hay haulers so that we can transport more hay, faster, to farmers who need it.
We can’t make it rain but we can help farmers, our favorite entrepreneurs. These initiatives will at least bring a little relief to Ohio’s farmers in the midst of the most widespread drought in more than 50 years.
Drought Resources
Various drought resources are available to assist those in the agriculture industry in this difficult time. Click on any of the organizations below to view the drought information and resources available.
