Big corn yields, full grain piles – Brownfield Ag News

Agricultural Productivity and Sustainable Development Goals in South Dakota’s 2024 Harvest

High Yields and Contribution to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)

• Reports from southeastern South Dakota indicate a significant corn harvest, directly contributing to the objectives of SDG 2 by enhancing food security.
• Yields are consistently recorded between 180 and 200+ bushels per acre, demonstrating high agricultural productivity.

Economic and Logistical Challenges Impacting SDG 8 and SDG 12

• Economic Viability (SDG 8): Farmers are making strategic economic decisions, such as delaying sales while monitoring corn prices around the $4 per bushel mark, to ensure the financial sustainability of their operations and support decent work in the agricultural sector.
• Responsible Production and Infrastructure (SDG 12): The high volume of harvested grain has resulted in significant logistical challenges, with reports of corn being piled extensively due to limited elevator and storage capacity. This situation highlights a critical need for infrastructure that supports sustainable production patterns and minimizes post-harvest loss.

Post-Harvest Practices and Environmental Considerations (SDG 12 & SDG 13)

• The majority of fall fieldwork has been completed, preparing land for subsequent production cycles.
• A notable practice among some farmers is the decision to delay fertilizer applications until spring. This aligns with the principles of SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by potentially improving nutrient management and reducing environmental impact.
• The onset of winter weather, including colder temperatures and potential snow, underscores the influence of climatic conditions on agricultural timelines and planning, a key consideration for SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Official Harvest Progress Report

• The final weekly update from the USDA provides a quantitative measure of regional food production capacity, reflecting progress toward SDG 2.
• Harvest completion rates are as follows:
  1. Corn: 93%
  2. Sorghum: 91%
  3. Sunflower: 82%

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The article’s primary focus is on agriculture, specifically a large corn harvest. This directly relates to food production, food security, and the livelihoods of farmers, which are central themes of SDG 2. The high yields discussed contribute to the overall food supply.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article touches upon the economic aspects of farming. The farmer, Matt Bainbridge, discusses market prices (“getting closer to $4”), storage capacity, and the timing of sales. This reflects the economic decision-making and income generation that are part of the agricultural sector, connecting to economic productivity and growth.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The mention of corn being “piled everywhere” and elevators having limited space highlights challenges in the post-harvest supply chain. This relates to food storage, infrastructure, and the potential for post-harvest losses, which is a key concern of SDG 12’s focus on sustainable production patterns.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
   • The article directly addresses agricultural productivity with the quote, “everybody was 180 to 200 plus bushels/acre pretty easy.” It also touches on the income of a farmer who is making strategic decisions about when to sell his crop based on price (“I was starting to get pretty tempted, and now we’ve kind of drifted back a little bit”).
2. Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.
   • The article implies a risk of post-harvest loss. The descriptions of corn being “piled everywhere,” people “running out of places to pile it,” and limited elevator space point to significant logistical and storage challenges in the supply chain immediately following harvest. Improperly stored grain is at high risk of spoilage, which constitutes a post-harvest loss.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 2.3 (Productivity): The article provides a direct quantitative measure of agricultural productivity: “180 to 200 plus bushels/acre.” This serves as a proxy for Indicator 2.3.1 (Volume of production per labour unit or land area).
• Indicator for Target 2.3 (Income): The farmer’s reference to the market price of corn (“getting closer to $4”) is a direct reference to the factors that determine farmer income, which relates to Indicator 2.3.2 (Average income of small-scale food producers).
• Indicator for Target 12.3 (Food Loss): While not a direct measurement, the descriptive phrases “corn is piled everywhere” and “running out of places to pile it” serve as qualitative indicators of stress on the storage infrastructure. This situation implies a high potential for post-harvest losses, which are measured by Indicator 12.3.1 (Global Food Loss Index).
• General Agricultural Indicator: The USDA data stating “Corn harvest is 93 percent complete” is a statistical indicator used to track the progress and completion of agricultural production cycles within a region.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: brownfieldagnews.com