Kansas Farmers Adopt Tech Amid Rising Costs and Drought

Kansas farmers are embracing new technology to improve efficiency and productivity on their land. Agricultural drones, for instance, can target specific sections of a field without spraying the entire crop, reducing waste and increasing yields. John Deere's See & Spray system is another innovation that uses cameras and computer technology to identify and spray individual weeds.

However, despite these advances, farmers are facing significant challenges due to rising costs and dry conditions. Diesel prices have skyrocketed, making it difficult for farmers to operate their equipment during the fall harvest and winter wheat planting seasons. The high fuel costs cannot be offset by higher grain prices, according to John Jenkinson, an agricultural broadcaster and southwest Kansas farmer.

The drought in western Kansas is also having a devastating impact on crops. Corn yields are down significantly, with fields that typically produce 285-300 bushels per acre now yielding only 260-270 bushels. Some dryland crops have even burned up completely, and the lack of soil moisture is creating concerns about planting winter wheat.

Farmers are also calling for increased competition within the fertilizer industry. They want the federal government to examine whether existing antitrust laws can be used to address market concentration and high prices.