Article Summary
The author of this article describes the corn harvesting campaign of 2019 in the United States and the substantial issues that occurred during this campaign in particular areas of the country. At the beginning of 2020, South Dakota has reportedly harvested 90% of its corn crop, while North Dakota has had only 48% of harvest complete (Kennedy, 2020). The major reasons for the late harvest include inappropriate weather during the year that negatively affected the quality and test weights of the crop and propane shortages that left farmers and elevators “unable to dry corn” (Kennedy, 2020, para. 2). According to the representatives of agricultural companies of North Dakota, due to recent snowstorms and the corn’s high moisture and immaturity, almost half of the crop will be “left in the field until spring” (Kennedy, 2020, para. 4). At the same time, the farmers of South Dakota reported that despite wet soil conditions due to snowstorms, they were generally satisfied with the test weights of the crop and would continue to harvest it.
Economic Concept
The article refers to the effect of domino in economics when one action or event inevitably influences related subjects. The late harvest of 2019 caused the risk of the crop’s loss both in fields and elevators and a lack of fertilizer application. In addition, poor weather events of 2019 that have already been predicted for the future may force the farmers of the Upper Midwest to stop farming in these areas (Kennedy, 2020). Lenders will experience certain incommodities related to the late harvest as well.
Opinion
First of all, information concerning the current corn harvesting campaign was new and highly interesting. From a personal perspective, the effect of domino frequently appears in all spheres of economics and agriculture is not an exception. However, if harvest directly depends on weather conditions, more appropriate weather in the future will contribute to the timely ending of the harvesting campaign.
Reference
Kennedy, M. (2020). 2019 corn harvest: Will it ever end? Progressive Farmer. Web.