Don’t trust forecast for crops in climate report

The recent government report on climate change predicts that by 2050 corn yields will decline between 5 percent and 25 percent, and soybean yields by 25 percent. Crops will suffer from insects, fungal disease and too much of a good thing - rain.

Historically, crop shortfalls are due to drought, not above-average rainfall.

U.S. corn yields have set records in four of the last five years. Soybean yields set records in three of those five years. World grain production marches higher.

Heat and carbon dioxide are essential for plant photosynthesis. Currently, atmospheric CO2 levels are only about a third the optimum level for plants.

Fungicides already are on the market. Genetics are solving both insect and disease problems.

Warming by 2050 would allow more double cropping of winter wheat and soybeans. A longer growing season would benefit corn yields.

Tight crop supplies would increase prices received by farmers. Higher prices allow farmers to spend more on production enhancements. The problem tends to cure itself.

Predictions of crop production shortfalls have occurred for generations. Throughout those predictions, farmers have dealt more with surpluses than shortages. Climate change predictions of crop failures are nothing more than fearmongering.

Curt Zingula

Central City