Pennsylvania farmers are looking forward to a big harvest this year as drought in the Midwest wiped out much of the nation’s corn leading to high prices.
Corn, soybean and wheat are all at record prices right now. So while Pennsylvania farmers should make some good money this year selling their crop, the rest of us will have to pay a lot more to buy it.
“To some extent farming is a gamble and we are always playing that game every single year hoping for a good outcome,” explained PSU Research and Extension Center’s Alyssa Collins.
This year, for Pennsylvania farmers, the outcome looks pretty good. Collins, a researcher for Penn State, says PA should have normal harvests for corn and soybean.
Which is good considering drought in the Midwest killed off 10 million acres of corn alone, sending prices way up.
“So that means for us, that means if you have some grain you can sell you’ll be doing very well on that grain,” Collins added.
“I think we are pretty fortunate compared to many people,” believes PSU’s Jeff Graybill.
Graybill works for the PSU Extension in Lancaster County. He says our national corn yield will be 12 percent lower than last year, which is enough to double the price.
In fact, prices for corn, soybeans and wheat are they highest they have ever been. So while PA farmers will make more money, PA consumers will be spending more.
“Will that be here to stay? Who knows,” Graybill offered. “It depends on the weather. But farmers are always hopeful. Next year, we could have a record crop.’
There are some farmers in our area that were a little less lucky and will have smaller yields, but Graybill said most have crop insurance to help.
Corn, soybean and wheat are all at record prices right now. So while Pennsylvania farmers should make some good money this year selling their crop, the rest of us will have to pay a lot more to buy it.
“To some extent farming is a gamble and we are always playing that game every single year hoping for a good outcome,” explained PSU Research and Extension Center’s Alyssa Collins.
This year, for Pennsylvania farmers, the outcome looks pretty good. Collins, a researcher for Penn State, says PA should have normal harvests for corn and soybean.
Which is good considering drought in the Midwest killed off 10 million acres of corn alone, sending prices way up.
“So that means for us, that means if you have some grain you can sell you’ll be doing very well on that grain,” Collins added.
“I think we are pretty fortunate compared to many people,” believes PSU’s Jeff Graybill.
Graybill works for the PSU Extension in Lancaster County. He says our national corn yield will be 12 percent lower than last year, which is enough to double the price.
In fact, prices for corn, soybeans and wheat are they highest they have ever been. So while PA farmers will make more money, PA consumers will be spending more.
“Will that be here to stay? Who knows,” Graybill offered. “It depends on the weather. But farmers are always hopeful. Next year, we could have a record crop.’
There are some farmers in our area that were a little less lucky and will have smaller yields, but Graybill said most have crop insurance to help.