Drought, Crop Conditions, USDA, and CNN

A quick post to get you readers up to speed.  I’m barely up to speed myself as all this has happened quite quickly.  About two weeks ago we found out USDA Undersecretary Michael Scuse was going to be touring drought stricken areas of the Midwest.  Thanks to my sister who recently began a new career at the local county USDA Farm Service Agency, our farm is going to be part of the tour as it comes through Indiana.

At first there was talk of some local or regional media coverage.  But this afternoon things changed quickly.  By late afternoon I was taking calls from CNN in Atlanta.  They caught wind of the USDA tour and decided to send a crew up to cover it.  CNN is going to be at our farm before dawn tomorrow morning to set up shop to interview my Dad and I and get a look at some of the drought damage.  These guys are on a plane right now if they haven’t already landed in Indianapolis.  They’ll be staying to see USDA arrive as well.  It’s been a long day of taking phone calls to get everyone where they need to be and to plan for all the activity tomorrow.  There’s even talk of some UK and Finland media being present.

I don’t know yet when the CNN piece will air, but I’ll be sure to let you guys know what’s up ASAP.

Updated: March 14, 2013 at 9:56 pm
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Comments

  1. Brian we in New Zealand are following closely whats happening to you guys. All farmers & Farm Advisers through out the world feel for the agony of any farmer suffering from drought. We hope it rains soon & the meantime hang in there & look after each other. Tom Phillips. OneFarm Centre of Excellence in Farm Business Management, Massey University, New Zealand.

    1. I don’t have anything on hand. We did have a couple bags on Pioneer’s drought tolerant corn in test strips on our farm last year. That field actually had quite a bit of rain, but the drought tolerant corn averaged almost 220 bushels. About 10 bushels more than the next best variety.

  3. Hi Brian! Ryan Goodman gave me your name and we highlighted your blog on CNN’s Eatocracy in his piece a few weeks ago. Any chance you’d have a sec to chat? If so, I’ll send you my info.

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