By MOLLY DRAYER
Sheridan High School Student
Editor’s Note: The Sheridan Student Column is brought to readers by Sheridan High School’s 10th grade English class, taught by Abby Williams.
Fall 2020 has begun! All over the Midwest harvest is in full swing. 2020 has been full of uncertainty. Will harvest follow that same pattern? COVID-19 has had many global and local effects. How has COVID-19 affected the agricultural business in Hamilton County?
According to agriculture.com, possible impacts of COVID-19 on farming include changes in market prices, supply chain disruptions, and health of the farm workforce. With fewer people eating out in restaurants, things like dairy prices could be affected. According to my grandpa, Roger Drayer, one of the owners of Waitt Grain in Sheridan, grain prices are doing well and have not been significantly affected by the pandemic. On Oct. 2, corn closed on the Chicago Board of Trade at $3.80 and soybeans closed at $10.21. Mr. Drayer says these are good prices for both corn and beans.
A second factor agriculture.com said could affect farming is disruptions in the supply chain. This refers to the inability to get required materials or supplies for your business. Mr. Drayer is not aware of any local problems with the supply chain. This year yields are good, farmers are harvesting their crops, and Waitt Elevator is sending the grain to market. These factors have farmers looking forward to a good harvest season.
According to agriculture.com, a third way in which COVID-19 could affect agriculture is the health of the workforce. Farmers tend to be an older population. Agriculture.com said, “26 percent are age 65 years and up.” The older population is at a greater risk of the effects of COVID-19. Mr. Drayer said he is unaware of any farmers who have been unable to plant or harvest because of illness.
Mr. Drayer also stated that if an employee at Waitt Elevator was to get sick and have to be quarantined, it would cause inconvenience to the company and customers. If the company was short on help, the farmers would have to either take their grain somewhere else or wait for the business to be back open. While this would be an inconvenience for both the farmer and Waitt Grain, it would not prevent the crops from reaching the market. Waitt Grain, like other local grain facilities, is just one small cog in the agricultural wheel and the industry as a whole would still not be significantly affected.
Agriculture in Hamilton County is doing well. Unlike other businesses, agriculture was never shut down due to the pandemic, as it was deemed essential. Farmers are still able to plant and harvest crops. Waitt Grain is still handling customers’ crops and sending them to market. This year’s yields and crop prices are good. COVID-19 will not stand in the way of a successful fall 2020 harvest for Hamilton County.