Hope for Agriculture, Despite a Warming World

Warmer temperatures may be changing weather patterns and disrupting the usual balance of nature, but Jeffrey Schussler does not believe anyone will go hungry because of it. 

Schussler, an ag technology and research consultant at Iowa-based Schussler Ag Research Solutions, told a crowd at the Ontario Agricultural Conference on Wednesday that global climate change – despite the more obvious and highly visible negative impacts of extreme weather – is quietly helping farmers produce more food. 

The bounty will not be even by any means, he said, noting that climate change will lower agricultural output in certain parts of the world, particularly those countries with already warm climates located near the earth’s equator. But provided supplies can get to where they are needed, production gains in other regions, including North America, should ensure there is enough for all. 

Higher diesel and fertilizer prices are squeezing farm profit margins ahead of the midterm elections. Farmers in Iowa and Kansas discuss rising harvest costs, the war in Iran and whether those pressures will change their votes. Peter Tubbs reports on the debate over farm input costs and the differing political responses across the Corn Belt.