Photo courtesy Bucknell Farm
Farmers Fear Inflation Will Harm Crop Yields
SUNBURY – Inflation and high fuel prices are affecting everyone but farmers in particular are facing some exponentially higher expense.
Anna Hodgson, Field and Forage Crops Educator with Penn State Extension tells us, for example, a widely needed herbicide ‘Round-up,’ has doubled and redoubled in price, “The glyphosate has increased 250% or so. So, the price of herbicide is increasing, there is also some shortages for glyphosate right now.”
She says if farmers allow more weeds to grow, those plants compete with crops for nutrients, that will reduce yields. She does tell us, there are cheaper alternatives to the glyphosate, but they are far more toxic and require additional training to even use it in fields.
How can we help farmers? She says first of all, watch out for farmers on the road, “Be aware of road safety and, I know it can be a hassle being stuck behind someone that is driving slow but if you can take a couple extra minutes then be safe about it.”
She says buying from local farmers markets can help put money directly into the farmer’s pockets, eliminating the middle man.
Listen to all of Anna Hodgson’s comments on the WKOK.com Podcast Page, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
