News

Ramifications of 2019 season still unknown

Ag leaders in Michigan say the entire ag supply chain will feel the effects of a difficult growing season in the Eastern Corn Belt.

Michigan Agri-Business Association President Jim Byrum tells Brownfield a reduced corn crop this year will mean the state’s livestock and ethanol sectors will need to source from elsewhere.

“With the supply depressed this year there’s going to be corn moving into Michigan for some of that demand—that’s the major concern.  Feeders and ethanol plants are going to be stressed.”

He says with less production, agribusinesses and associated industries like rail and truckers will also have less revenue which will cause ripple effects throughout rural communities.

Michigan Farm Bureau President Carl Bednarski tells Brownfield it’s been a mess of a year for farmers everywhere and they’re not out of the woods yet. “How are we going to pay our bills to different suppliers even though we don’t have a crop?  We still have expenses out there.  A lot of this is still coming and we still could have the final shoe drop this fall if we don’t have a perfect fall.”

Experts say Michigan’s corn production to be down by at least 25 percent in some areas while USDA’s June production estimate reduced the national crop by nearly 10 percent.