Four Ways U.S. Farm Operators Overcame 2021
2021 was an important reminder of how?innovation and the ability to adapt shape?the future of American agriculture.?
The port bottlenecks, shortages, and escalating inflation we experienced this year reminded our world once again of the fragility of our food system—along with the key role?farm owners and operators?play in keeping it going.?
Even at the height of disruption,?these?agribusiness?professionals?proved that their determination was stronger as they?approached new challenges?with ingenuity,?optimism, and?perseverance.??
The?new year marks a time when?many?focus on the challenges?we?faced?over the?last?year.?Instead, we choose to focus on the solutions that?farmers, ranchers, and landowners?provided.???
1. Advocating Agriculture?
Challenge: From?French fries?to?pallets,?no industry was spared from shortages of some kind in 2021.?But it was this ongoing disruption that forced lawmakers to take?notice?of?the gaps?in?our current food system and?motivated?farm operators?to become more vocal about the?impacts?of supply chain disruptions on their agricultural operations.??
Solution:?Historic investments in rural development?have been?in the works since the?infrastructure bill?officially passed earlier this year.?Legislative pressure has also led to?benchmark steps in addressing the growing issue of?consolidation in the ag sector.?As funding is allocated and?the passage of?future spending bills?is?likely, it’s imperative for farmers to continue to be actively involved in the discussion.
2. Innovating Under Pressure?
Challenge:?Supply bottlenecks and shortages are leading to higher input costs for essential farm inputs, including fertilizer, seeds, pallets, labor, and more.??
Solution:?In response, farm operators?are demonstrating their?resourceful?ingenuity?by proactively engaging with their trusted lender and finding ways to?secure capital, cut costs, and increase yields.?For example, the?CEO of United Soybean Board Polly Ruhland?says a growing number of American soybean farmers are turning to tools like moisture sensors, smart irrigation, autonomous tractors, drones, and more to produce more with less.???
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“This innovative technology can have an accuracy range better than one centimeter, and this allows farmers to make complex decisions for the crop and apply inputs at the right time in the right place to grow more food, fiber, and fuel with fewer resources and an eye always toward improving quality.”??
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3. Adapting Through Storms?
Challenge:?While there’s been a huge uptick in conversations regarding global warming this year, farmers and ranchers have been witnessing the consequences firsthand in the form of hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and drought.??
Solution:?Farm owners?across the nation?are adapting?their operations to fight the increasing number of severe?weather events through integrated and transformative farming practices, from?repurposing smoke-tainted grapes?to?implementing?more?climate-resilient?farming practices.?
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4. Investing in the Future?
Challenge:?Agricultural issues like labor?shortage?and sustainability?were?already hot topics?among the agricultural community prior to 2021. However, it’s no question that labor shortages were exacerbated this year, bleeding into industries outside of the farm gate, including trucking, packaging, and more.?
Solution:?The increasing challenge for farm operators?to find and retain reliable farm labor is leading to?innovation in ag robotic technology?and pressure on lawmakers to untangle the complicated web of?immigration reform.?From?autonomous tractors?to substantial?funding for?ag research initiatives,?the?challenges?of 2021?brought a wave of?investments?to create a stronger domestic food system moving forward.??
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“Autosteer and technology has helped reduce our labor load, which makes my life a lot easier.”?
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Take Hold of Your Financial Freedom with AgAmerica?
Being?a?farmer?means committing to a life purpose—not just a job.?It’s?a?365-day?commitment, but you shouldn’t bear the?weight?of sustaining the world alone.??
Founded with roots in agriculture, AgAmerica is committed to supporting?farm and ranch owners?across the nation in achieving their operational goals.?
Our?spectrum of financial solutions?provides flexible?financing?to?purchase land, increase working capital, and/or refinance existing debt.???
Learn more?about AgAmerica and the resources we offer?at?https://agamerica.com/ag-resources/.???