Drought Resiliency in Nebraska

Holly Fischer Author

02/15/2023 Added

3 Plays

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Holly Fischer, a senior triple majoring in broadcasting, political science and advertising and public relations, won eighth place in the 2023 Hearst Audio Competition with "Parental Consent or Censorship" and "Drought Resiliency in Nebraska."

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[00:00:00.554](triumphant music)
[00:00:01.387]The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's fight song goes,
[00:00:04.117]"We'll all stick together in all kinds of weather."
[00:00:06.283](cow moos)
[00:00:07.170]It's fitting for a state where 92% of the land
[00:00:10.170]is either farm or ranch land
[00:00:11.815]that relies on water to survive.
[00:00:13.615](water trickling)
[00:00:14.880]But what do Nebraska farmers do
[00:00:17.430]when they are faced with record breaking drought?
[00:00:20.190]We're all seeing some
[00:00:23.760]yield reduction to certain degrees,
[00:00:26.940]both corn, beans,
[00:00:27.930]no matter what crop it is,
[00:00:28.860]alfalfa, hay.
[00:00:30.074](birds squawk)
[00:00:30.907]Fifth generation corn and soybean farmer Greg Anderson
[00:00:34.110]lives in Madison County
[00:00:36.030]where over 57% of the community is in extreme drought.
[00:00:40.200]The National Drought Mitigation Center lists
[00:00:42.600]100% of Nebraska at some level of drought.
[00:00:46.350]Like right now, I have the cattle
[00:00:48.540]in the only creek that's still running.
[00:00:50.610]Cattle and grain farmer in Nemaha County,
[00:00:53.190]Daryl Obermeyer, says he has had
[00:00:55.290]to work extra hours this year.
[00:00:56.840]And some of the pastures I've had to haul water
[00:00:59.520]because the creek is dry.
[00:01:01.200]The agriculture industry generates more
[00:01:03.450]than $28 billion in revenue
[00:01:05.970]in the state according to the agriculture department,
[00:01:09.870]UNL crop protection and cropping systems specialist
[00:01:12.750]Justin McMechan is helping farmers deal
[00:01:15.480]with these extreme conditions.
[00:01:17.370]Everybody knows the end
[00:01:18.956]of the season what they should have done, right?
[00:01:20.460]He helps farmers look ahead by asking important questions
[00:01:23.760]But then it's going forward, how do I mitigate my risk,
[00:01:27.480]but maintain potential?
[00:01:29.400]Crop insurance and irrigation are great tools,
[00:01:32.151]but farmers are starting to turn
[00:01:34.230]to scientific advancements like hybrid seeds.
[00:01:37.254]Anderson says they are the key to surviving drought.
[00:01:41.070]So here in 2022 as opposed to say a drought 40 years ago
[00:01:45.620]using those different seeds back then when
[00:01:50.520]it gets you the yields that we're getting today just
[00:01:52.860]for the advancement in technology.
[00:01:54.570]Some farmers and experts disagree
[00:01:56.520]on trends in these extreme conditions.
[00:01:58.742]Climate change and drought specialists
[00:02:00.930]at the National Drought Mitigation Center
[00:02:03.210]Kelly Smith believes they are the product of climate change.
[00:02:06.900]W what we are seeing as a result
[00:02:08.940]of climate change is more extremes like it's
[00:02:12.660]it'll go from flooding straight into drought.
[00:02:16.200]It's kind of flipping from one extreme to another.
[00:02:19.707](cow moos)
[00:02:23.910]As the drought continues, farmers
[00:02:25.950]like Anderson are trying to be optimistic.
[00:02:28.500]Looking ahead
[00:02:29.960]It's not probably what we wanted
[00:02:31.277]but yet I'm thankful for what we've got
[00:02:34.179]and we'll carry on.
[00:02:36.562]We'll, we'll be there for next drink.
[00:02:40.770]I'm Holly Fisher reporting for 90.3 K R N U.
[00:02:44.923](birds chirping)

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Drought Resiliency in Nebraska

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