Climate change in kentucky
Global Warming and Climate Change are affecting Kentucky in more ways than one. According to the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, Kentucky citizens should be aware of how they are being impacted. They reported that yield potential for certain crops is changing. This can specifically be seen in corn and soybeans. As the yield potential for soybeans rises, the yield for corn decreases. This is because of the rising temperatures. Crops like corn cannot thrive as the weather warms; their lifecycles shorten. However, soybean plants are stimulated by the warmer weather.
As the weather warms, diseases, insect pests and weeds increase. The warmer weather allows for winters to become milder, which leads to the survival of these organisms. These organisms are responsible for killing several crops and hindering their growing period. In addition to this, livestock production is also impacted. The rising temperatures during the summer months make it extremely difficult for livestock to survive. They have no way to shelter and protect themselves from the heat.
In May of 2014, The White House released a fact sheet specifically pertaining to Kentucky and climate change. One of their focuses was on dairy production in Kentucky. The milk must be produced in optimal temperatures and the rising temperatures could hinder that. Ultimately, this could severely harm Kentucky’s dairy production and economy as more farms will be forced to relocate further north.
In a report from the US Global Change Research Program, US Department of Agriculture Midwest Hub Director Jerry Hatfield said, “One of the biggest challenges that producers face, and particularly in areas like Kentucky, which is kind of a transition state between the southern states and the northern states, is we can expect increased volatility in our weather, and probably the parameter that impacts it the most is precipitation.” (Jones, "How Does Climate Change Affect Kentucky Farmers?).
Climate Change and Kentucky Farmers
Farmers across the state of Kentucky have felt the impact of climate change on their operations. John-Mark Hack, a professor at the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, resides in Woodford County Kentucky, just outside of Lexington. Hack is a Kentucky farmer and partner at Marksbury Farm Market, a meat processing and distribution facility. Hack’s entire operation depends on the livelihood of cattle and other species. Like many other farms in Kentucky, his operation focuses on grass farming to help sustain the cattle.
As Kentucky climate changes, Hack has noticed that precipitation patterns are also changing. There have been heavy periods of rainfall and flooding, contrasted with periods of heavy drought. In the past, precipitation patterns in Kentucky were fairly predictable and very regular. However, due to climate change, this is no longer the case. With the changes in precipitation occurring, grass and cattle farmers like Hack are faced with serious challenges. Without grass in the fields, the cattle cannot survive and the entire operation will suffer.
Not only is cattle and grass impacted by climate change, but also the miscellaneous crops as well. Randy Mann, owner and operator of Seldom Rest Farm in Auburn, Kentucky believes that climate change has been occurring longer than most people have realized. Mann’s operation mainly produces corn, wheat and soybeans. Like John-Mark Hack, he too has noticed a change in precipitation patterns in Kentucky, specifically the drought patterns.
Mann’s operation tries to play their part in preventing climate change by being more responsible in their practices. They participate in “no-till farming” which reduces the impact to the soil and the fuel emissions in the air.