FARMERS FIND WAYS TO ADAPT TO CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change is expected to impact farming in a number of ways. Additional carbon dioxide could increase crop growth and yields, but changes in temperature, rainfall, pests, pathogens and extreme weather could all have negative consequences. Consumers can expect more expensive food, especially in years when crops are signicantly damaged due to weather extremes. For example: this year. The very warm early spring this year, followed by a freeze, severely damaged some fruit crops in our area.

Rising winter temperatures invite pests and diseases

Winter temperature increase (F)
+7 +6 +5 +4 +3 +2 +1
Missouri Illinois Indiana West Virginia Kentucky Virginia Ohio

1. No-till farming and erosion control

A method of farming that forgoes tilling that leaves soils bare and susceptible to erosion. Don't farm right up to the banks of streams, rivers or sink holes. Leave buffer zones of grasses to help catch sediment and fertilizers. Plant winter cover crops such as wheat, oats and rye between plantings of corn and soybean seasons to reduce erosion from rain.
Satellite

2. High-tech assistance
Using satellite, computer and sensors technology to more carefully apply fertilizers, reducing fertilizer runoff into waterways.

CONVENTIONAL TILLAGE
Soil is tilled bare and vunerable to erosion. Soil does not hold water as well as no-till method.

NO-TILL
Soybean and corn remnants cover and mingle with soil, retaining water and reducing erosion.

Tennessee

Over the past 30 years, temperatures have risen faster in winter than in any other season. This has allowed insect pests and crop diseases to expand their range, creating new and increasing challenges to farmers. Kentucky and Indiana have experienced a 4-6 degree increase in average winter temperatures.
SOURCES: NOAA

Process

Till and plow removing most crop remnants Till with disk Till with eld cultivator Plant Apply herbicide Harvest

Process

Apply herbicide Plant Apply herbicide Harvest Soil is more aerated and promotes a good habitat for earthworms. Roots can grow easily.

10. Buy crop insurance

Crop insurance covers more than just extreme weather, including yield and price changes, but extreme weather and droughts can result in larger payments to farmers. Reported federal subsidies this year have reached about $7 billion so far.
ICY POL

Soil can become more easily compacted, making roots harder to grow.

9
Greenhouse

NO-TILL GAINING GROUND

Percent of no-till acres planted in the U.S.
50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

9. Winter greenhouses
Using simple, plastic "high tunnel" greenhouses to grow cold-weather crops through the winter, extending the growing season and opening new potential markets.

3. Tolerant cattle
Breed cattle that are more tolerant of heat and drought.

Farmers market

Soybean

Corn Cotton
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

7
Pond

8. Crops for local markets

Diversify some farms to grow variety of vegetables, fruits, meat and poultry, to serve expanding demand for high-quality local food in cities and spread the risk for crop failures.

SOURCE: USDA, Economic Research Service, National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2000-2007 Agricultural Resource Management Survey, Phase II.

8 3
Weeding & feeding Seeding Creek

7. Water retention
Maximize water retention on farm properties by adding ponds and consider adding irrigation to help weather droughts if there are sufcient water supplies.

4. Crop science
Use traditional and biotechnological methods, including exploring controversial genetic modications, to produce crops that are better able to tolerate drought and heat.

Manure

Irrigation

6. Reduce fertizer runoff

Pond

Cover manure to prevent rain from washing it into waterways. When using manure to fertilize, only use the amount that can be taken up by plants, and avoid applying right before a heavy storm.

5. Vary planting dates

DNA

Shift planting dates and plant crop varieties with shorter growing seasons to avoid hottest parts of the year and to spread risk of total crop failure from extreme weather.
STEVE REED/THE COURIER-JOURNAL