In Response to the
2019 Flooding
2019 Flooding
With all of the devastating news about the horrendous flooding in our region and neighboring states, it’s difficult to imagine that many people in agriculture could become excited about a weed control research project that will be taking place in the months to come. Countless producers are undoubtedly wondering how they’re going to recover from their livestock losses or prospect of not being able to plant some (or all) of their fields this year, next year or ever again. All that on top of many of them having experienced a year of two of drastic downturn in the ag economy – low crop and livestock prices, tariff wars, unfavorable harvest conditions last fall, you name it. How could anyone be interested in hearing about a research project to control a weed? Honestly, if I were in their situation, I doubt that I would be.
No doubt, we’re fortunate here. The “bomb cyclone” was basically a non-event for our miniscule part of the agricultural world. At this point, it looks like we’re going to be able to plan out our crop and livestock production for this year in a fairly normal fashion – no catastrophe here. Yes, we should consider ourselves very fortunate.
There’s one thing about people in agriculture, though. They face difficulties all the time and, with a seemingly impossible degree of optimism, do in fact look to the future – focusing on the things to be done next week, next month, this summer, next year. A few producers will unfortunately have no option but to leave agriculture. For most, farming and ranching is in their blood – they will be back. And when, after the pure heart wrenching shock of the devastation subsides, they will be able to once again think of what’s to be done in future.
So, maybe in a small way right now, we can move on for them. Maybe we can give them something to consider using in the future because we were able to figure out a practical solution to a recurring problem – fighting weeds in a way that preserves the environment, their land, their budget and their wellbeing.
No doubt, we’re fortunate here. The “bomb cyclone” was basically a non-event for our miniscule part of the agricultural world. At this point, it looks like we’re going to be able to plan out our crop and livestock production for this year in a fairly normal fashion – no catastrophe here. Yes, we should consider ourselves very fortunate.
There’s one thing about people in agriculture, though. They face difficulties all the time and, with a seemingly impossible degree of optimism, do in fact look to the future – focusing on the things to be done next week, next month, this summer, next year. A few producers will unfortunately have no option but to leave agriculture. For most, farming and ranching is in their blood – they will be back. And when, after the pure heart wrenching shock of the devastation subsides, they will be able to once again think of what’s to be done in future.
So, maybe in a small way right now, we can move on for them. Maybe we can give them something to consider using in the future because we were able to figure out a practical solution to a recurring problem – fighting weeds in a way that preserves the environment, their land, their budget and their wellbeing.