The drought monitor report as of Tuesday, Aug. 25 continues a backwards slide into worse conditions. Almost all of Barton County and much of the surrounding are now in moderate drought with more and most of Stafford and Rice Counties in severe drought. The northeastern third of the state is in good shape, as is a small area of the northwest. The six-to-ten-day forecast (Sept. 1-5) indicates a 60 to 80% chance of likely above normal for temperatures and 33 to 40% of leaning above near normal for precipitation. The eight-to-14-day forecast (Sept. 3-9) indicates a 50 to 60% chance of likely above normal for temperatures and near normal for precipitation. Definitely not good for sorghum and really bad for soybeans.

Labor Day is next Monday, as late as it can be, and in Barton County that means Kids’ Ag Day that Wednesday, Sept. 9. For over 30 years, the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce along with volunteers and generous donations from area businesses and individuals, have exposed county fourth graders to the various aspects of agriculture in the Golden Belt. This year it’s at the Expo Center. You may wonder why, in a very agricultural area, there is a need for an event like this. There are several reasons.

• Even in a more rural area like Barton County, most of the population really doesn’t understand crop and livestock production. Even many those in government don’t grasp the nuances and challenges of producing a food supply; of dealing with living organisms; and the interaction of climate, soil, the microbiology, the ecology, and their interactions. A quick example will suffice. Administrations of both parties try to solve food availability and costs through intervention. The latest example is allowing 300,000 metric tons of beef in the country tariff free (a metric ton is around 2,200 pounds). That may lowers prices a bit but won’t solve the problem. The problem is through drought and other factors; our country has the smallest herd in the last 70 years or so. To rebuild a herd, producers need to hold heifers and cows back which further constrains supply. The overall dry conditions don’t help. And unlike poultry and pork production, it takes anywhere from 18 months to over two years.
• We are facing a critical shortage of knowledgeable individuals to work in the agricultural industry. Only a percent or so of the population is directly involved in food production. Many more are involved in the associated ancillary industries. We need to expose children from an early age to the opportunities in all aspects of food, fiber, and fuel production. Hopefully, this plants a seed as these fourth graders moved forward in their schooling to the possibilities of a good, rewarding career. A career that will allow the next generation the opportunity to stay in the area.
• Finally, it’s fun. It’s fun for them to visit the petting zoo with various farm animals. It’s fun to look at the equipment, from combines and sprayers and drones. It’s fun and interesting to see what ag production is and what all we have that comes from ag.

Dr. Victor L. Martin is the agriculture instructor/coordinator for Barton Community College. He can be reached at 620-792-9207, ext. 207, or martinv@bartonccc.edu.