Weather, other obstacles affect local farmers
JEFFERSON TWP — When discussing the upcoming growing season at Thiele Dairy Farm, sixth-generation dairy and crop farmer, James Thiele, recalls his father saying, “farming is like being on a roller coaster, it has its ups and downs, and you can’t get off in the middle of the ride.”
That’s why Pennsylvania weather doesn’t surprise him.
The Pittsburgh region saw a record temperature on May 2. The National Weather Service reported a high of only 44 degrees at Pittsburgh International Airport, which breaks the previous record of a high of only 47 degrees recorded in 1897. On the other hand, temperatures are expected to rise this week to the high 70s, with 79 degrees forecast Thursday, May 11, and 77 degrees Saturday, May 13.
Thiele remarked that a mild winter and relatively dry conditions have affected his planting schedule at the farm, which has been operating since 1868, and the recent rains were needed, adding that it is “too early to tell.”
John Mark Miller, field and forage crops educator of Penn State Extension in Butler County, said “the very dry winter impacted soil moisture levels,” adding the recent rain has helped.
Miller noted that if dry conditions return, it may affect crop yields, but he is optimistic for an average yield in 2023.
Guy Daubenspeck, a fifth-generation beef and crop farmer in Connoquenessing Township, noted that “dry conditions have been beneficial for recently birthed calves.”
The newborns are outdoors with their mothers and wet, muddy conditions are stressful, he said.
Taylor Rickert, who farms 20 acres of hay in Cranberry Township, said the cost of fuel as well as bailing twine can make it difficult to turn a profit. Rickert noted that his previous expense for the entire season was around $500. It’s now $500 for just the first cutting.
He said the cost of equipment, fuel, fertilizer and seeds and the market price of commodities fluctuates each year, and county farmers have little choice but to adjust.
Miller said farms respond differently to changing economic conditions. Some have diversified, citing introduction of a mix of commodities or crop diversification. Others added a greenhouse or agritourism. Part of his responsibility, Miller said, is to help farmers adapt to changing economic conditions and manage expenses and investments.
As business and residential development in Butler County continues to grow, particularly in the southern part of the county, land availability is becoming a factor that farmers also must consider, too, Thiele said.
“They aren’t making any more of it,” he said.
According to information provided by Sheryl Kelly, Butler County environmental specialist, recycling and farmland coordinator, Butler County and the state hold agricultural land conservation easements on 72 farms in the county. Those farms have 7,384 acres of agricultural land that will be available for agricultural production in perpetuity.
“We have two farms that should be approved by the state’s agricultural land preservation board in June, and three more farms just started in the program for possible easement purchase,” Kelly said.
Thiele, Miller and Daubenspeck agreed that Butler County is fortunate to have an active agricultural land preservation board.
Daubenspeck said that if the time comes to retire, his family farm, circa 1825, will remain a farm.
However, for younger farmers such as Rickert, who is 27, finding available, affordable land is very difficult.
Rickert says the challenge is from developers also seeking land and farmland that is off the market as part of the county’s land preservation efforts, leaving few options.
Rickert said he bought land out of the county due to affordability.
The most recent agricultural census, done in 2017 by the U.S. Department of Agricultural, reported 995 farms in the county, a 10% decrease from 2012. Acreage in production was 133,954, a 2% decrease from 2012.
Kelly said a census is conducted every five years. According to the USDA website, the 2022 census will be released in the spring or summer of 2024.
Changes that could be revealed from that census are unknown at this point. Weather and economic conditions change, but county farmers remain committed to their land, farming and meeting whatever changes lie ahead.
