Here in the Southwest U.S. we’ve got a record-breaking and dangerously hot start to spring, with temperatures running up to 30°F above normal, and in some areas, hitting 100° to 112°F, which is more like early-summer temperatures. These conditions are increasing wildfire risks, and early March heatwaves broke century-old records in Arizona and California, while fast-melting, below-average snow packs are creating significant water supply concerns for this spring and summer, along with the possibility of a severe wildfire season over the next several months. But Midwestern farmers also have weather worries. Meteorologists point out that over the winter season, drought in areas of the country where most of the corn and soybeans are grown increased from from 30% to over 50%, while in the central U.S., where much of the winter wheat is produced, the drought increased to over 56%.”
Last week, Richard Foedyce, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation stated that the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program sign-up is going well, with more than half a million farmers expected to participate. So far, over $8 billion have been obligated, and reports indicate that farmers are using the money to cover 2025 expenses and pay for 2026 inputs. The USDA says that corn farmers have received more than $3.7 billion, followed by 2.1 billion for soybeans producers and wheat producers have received $1.6 billion in payments. Fordyce noted that the USDA knows the total of $11 billion available for farmers only covers 30 percent of farmer’s losses, but that Congress is working on a solution. Sign-up remains open for the program at USDA field offices through April 17th.
The EPA is removing the requirement for diesel powered agricultural equipment and large diesel trucks to have diesel exhaust fluid or DEF sensors. This change aims to stop frequent, forced, low-speed "derates" and engine shutdowns caused by faulty sensors, which has been causing large-scale downtime for both truckers and farmers. This change is expected to save farmers $4.4 billion a year in repairs and lost productivity, according to U.S. Small Business Administration, and is receiving positive responses from farmers and farm equipment manufacturers.
This spring, farmers are weighing how much of a bang they will get for their bucks invested in fertilizer, as spring planting begins. Due to the closure of the strait of Hormuz, nitrogen fertilizers has increased in price by about $102 per ton, although prices for phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are only slightly elevated, which may encourage some Midwest farmers to shift to soybean production because the crop dosen’t need nitrogen fertilizer. While Midwest farmers may see some benefit from fertilizer applications, it is questionable whether farmers and ranchers in the Four Corners Region will get a return on fertilizer investment, because irrigation water is expected to be in short supply this growing season, and that will limit production whether fertilizer is applied or not. Some forms of nitrogen fertilizer formulations need to either be incorporated into the soil or carried into the soil by irrigation or rainfall shortly after application. Urea, for example, will volatilize fairly quickly if it isn’t incorporated in the soil or carried into the soil by water.
President Trump recently announced a new website, onlyfarms.gov, which he claims will show how much farmers have benefited from his policies. I’ll leave it to listeners to determine how helpful it is.
Mother Theresa wrote, “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.”
