May 23, 2013
It's a tough year for farmers in the Midwest
Extension Agronomist William Birdsong said, “They're facing total crop devastation and one of the worst crops they've had in 25 plus years.”
25 good years, where nearly 90 million acres of corn is usually grown.
Farmers wallets just weren't ready this year.
But the truth is money isn't just coming out of their pockets.
Birdsong said, “Costs have to somewhat be transferred over the consumer for them to stay in business.”
When the corn doesn't grow, prices soar outside the store too.
Corn is used for ethanol production, and ethanol is often used in fuel to burn cleaner. Birdsong says that could drive the price up at the pump.
Birdsong said, “Farmers may be using more oil, which may make us more dependent on foreign oil, which might cause gas prices to go up.”
A huge demand for a crop used for so many things
Peanut Agronomist Kris Balkcom said, “Everyone feels the effects of it, even though it's in the Midwest, it's all over the U.S.
Feeling the pinch in your wallet from thousands of miles away.
