Why Do Farmers Care About Climate Change? Extreme Precipitation

August 15, 2016Climate Column

By Tom Driscoll, NFU Director of Conservation Policy and Education For farmers, rain is generally a good thing. Crops don’t grow without water, and other NFU Climate Column posts discuss the problems farmers do and will encounter getting enough rain and water as climate change progresses. But farmers also know that too much rain all at … Read More

Climate Column: Why Do Farmers Care About Climate Change? Drought

August 8, 2016Climate Column

By Tom Driscoll, NFU Director of Conservation Policy and Education Crops won’t grow without rain, and livestock producers remember the enormous problems experienced with the severe drought in 2012. Drought is frightening for farmers and expensive for consumers. USDA’s Southern Plains Assessment of Vulnerability and Preliminary Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies for Farmers, Ranchers and Forest Land … Read More

Climate Column: Why Do Farmers Care About Climate Change? Heat Stress on Livestock

August 1, 2016Climate Column

By Tom Somrack, NFU Government Relations Intern As the previous Climate Column noted, rising temperatures resulting from climate change can have serious repercussions for both crop growers and livestock producers. According to the National Climate Assessment: Climate Change Impacts in the United States, “Summer temperatures are projected to continue rising, and a reduction of soil moisture, which exacerbates heat waves, … Read More

Climate Column: Why Do Farmers Care About Climate Change? Introduction

July 18, 2016Climate Column

By Tom Driscoll, NFU Director of Conservation Policy and Education At the 2016 National Farmers Union (NFU) convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota, NFU members established that the organization should “lead efforts to help educate family farmers, ranchers and rural communities about how to adapt to the effects of climate change on their respective operations” and “support efforts … Read More