Capitol & Scott: Extreme weather and Arkansas agriculture, Part 2 – The economic impact

Episode 24 August 17, 2022 00:24:51
Capitol & Scott: Extreme weather and Arkansas agriculture, Part 2 – The economic impact
Capitol & Scott
Capitol & Scott: Extreme weather and Arkansas agriculture, Part 2 – The economic impact

Aug 17 2022 | 00:24:51

/

Show Notes

As much-needed rainfall blankets Arkansas this week, farmers across the state are still dealing with one of the worst droughts in recent history. More than a dozen counties were classified as disaster areas because of weeks of dry conditions paired with scalding temperatures. Conditions this summer have not been this dire since a drought in 2012.

Farmers will begin assessing the toll of the extreme weather in coming weeks as they prepare to harvest crops. Yields will determine the impact not only on the crops but also on farmers' bottom line. The estimated loss for livestock farmers is already coming it at around $100 million.

In Capitol & Scott’s two-part series on the impact of climate change on agriculture in Arkansas, our second episode centers on the economic impacts and risk assessment of droughts.

University of Arkansas agricultural economist John Anderson joins host Lara Farrar to talk about how the sector has been affected so far and projections for the second half of 2022.

Check out last week’s episode featuring Hallie Shoffner, a sixth-generation farmer in the Arkansas Delta, who shares the story of how extreme weather conditions are changing the way her family’s farm does business.

Other Episodes

Episode 31

November 09, 2022 00:31:12
Episode Cover

Midterm election recap with Skip Rutherford

With high voter turnout and some surprising results across the country, the 2022 midterm elections are almost over. Returns from some key races are...

Listen

Episode 18

June 15, 2022 00:35:33
Episode Cover

Capitol & Scott: Mystery snails and other invasive aquatic nuisances

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission announced earlier this year they'd found mystery snails, most likely from Japan or China, in a couple of...

Listen

Episode 22

August 03, 2022 00:23:55
Episode Cover

Capitol & Scott: The Arkansas School Safety Commission’s interim report

With the first day of school in Arkansas less than three weeks away, campus safety is again at the forefront of the new academic...

Listen