Corn shortage in western Kansas
9/20/2022 4:06:49 PM
CATEGORIES:
Agriculture
Business & Industry
Energy
Plants & Wildlife
Society & Public Health
AFFECTED AREAS:
Barber County, KS
Barton County, KS
Cheyenne County, KS
Clark County, KS
Comanche County, KS
Decatur County, KS
Edwards County, KS
Ellis County, KS
Finney County, KS
Ford County, KS
Gove County, KS
Graham County, KS
Grant County, KS
Gray County, KS
Greeley County, KS
Hamilton County, KS
Haskell County, KS
Hodgeman County, KS
Kearny County, KS
Kiowa County, KS
Lane County, KS
Logan County, KS
Meade County, KS
Morton County, KS
Ness County, KS
Norton County, KS
Osborne County, KS
Pawnee County, KS
Phillips County, KS
Pratt County, KS
Rawlins County, KS
Rooks County, KS
Rush County, KS
Russell County, KS
Scott County, KS
Seward County, KS
Sheridan County, KS
Sherman County, KS
Smith County, KS
Stafford County, KS
Stanton County, KS
Stevens County, KS
Thomas County, KS
Trego County, KS
Wallace County, KS
Wichita County, KS
Start Date: 9/20/2022
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Drought has seared the corn in western Kansas, which could lead to higher prices for fuel with ethanol and corn-fed beef. Ethanol and livestock companies are shipping in corn from states like Iowa, Illinois and Ohio. It may be a challenge for corn-dependent businesses to remain profitable in Kansas, given the cost of corn.
Corn production in Kansas is estimated at 628 million bushels this year, which is 122 million bushels less than the previous year. The difference of 122 million bushels multiplied by the present price of $8 per bushel puts the drought loss at nearly $1 billion. More than 50% of the state’s corn and sorghum were in poor or very poor condition, according to the USDA.
Even some irrigated corn will be abandoned this year because center pivot sprinklers could not deliver enough water for the crop.
High Plains Public Radio (Garden City, Kan.), Sept 20, 2022
Sources
