The interview posted above is from SDPB's daily public affairs show, In the Moment with Lori Walsh.
South Dakota corn farmers normally have about a third of their crop planted by now, but they’re currently at 11%. That’s because of the cold, wet weather.
Kevin McNew is chief economist for the Farmers Business Network. He says the conditions and the economy are creating challenges for farmers.
“I encourage farmers to look around you, look at universities, look at other companies and what they’re doing in this space,“ said McNew.” This is the time to really get your operation sized right and how you’re using inputs, especially fertilizer, which is such a costly component right now.”
McNew says fertilizer is probably the biggest line item on a farmer’s budget, and those prices are double what they were last year
