Drought, War, and Climate Change: Wheat Farmers Face Uncertain Harvest
US wheat farmers are facing uncertainty amid drought and geopolitical chaos that threatens to disrupt global food supplies. Despite high prices, farmer Merrill Nielsen is unsure if he'll break even due to record-high diesel fuel costs and poor weather.
The combination of factors has led experts to warn of higher grain and food prices worldwide. Wheat prices have risen 39% in the past year, but farmers like Nielsen are hesitant to plant more wheat due to the uncertainty of future yields.
El Niño, exacerbated by climate change, is expected to bring wetter conditions for the southern Great Plains this fall and spring, potentially boosting US wheat yields. However, recent Russian attacks on port facilities in the Black Sea have disrupted grain shipments, pushing prices up further.
Farmers will need higher production and strong values to benefit from high prices, but harvested acreage for wheat in the US has been at its lowest levels since 1877.