HIGH WIND CAUSES ACCIDENTS AND WHEAT LOSS

by Michele Boy | January 21, 2021

 The culmination of a multi year drought and a couple of days last week with sustained winds of 50 to 60 mph winds created the perfect storm as it killed area wheat and in some areas blew up to 18 inches of dirt. 

Zero visibility shut down Highway 50 between Lakin and Syracuse. It  caused a six vehicle pile up - two semis, three pickups and an SUV. Loretta P Johnson "Lory Williams" 73 was driving a white Ford Escape and taken to Hamilton County hospital. She was later transported to Wesley Medical Center where she passed away.  She died on Sunday, January 17, 2021 a Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. 

The tumbleweeds blew, farmers tried to clear fence lines, and the air looked yellow.

The high wind caused cancellation of the JV girls basketball game and major headaches for farmers with up to 18 inches of blow dirt accumulating in neighboring fields reminding many of the Dirty 30s.

Some farmers have lost nothing and other south farmers report about 1% loss of wheat.

Casey Finlay reports, “We had been getting a little more moisture out in our part of the county than they had up north.  There was actually still a little snow in the south ditches in spots last week when all the dirt was blowing.” 

Mark Schwerdfeger reported damages. “Overall I think we lost maybe 15% but there is a huge number of our acres that will soon follow if things continue down this super dry and windy path. My biggest fear is just how early it is for this to already be happening.”

He added, “In one area I saw dirt that had blown across the county road and filled the ditch’s level full on both sides!”

 Darrin DeWitt reported, “I think all my wheat is still intact for now. Getting measurable moisture soon would definitely be a blessing. A lot of drill rows are leveled off. Absolutely a tough situation for everyone. I’m happier with my wheat in southern part of county than the north where .40 rain that fell in early December out south has helped keep crop viable for now. I have seen small drifts of blow dirt in my fallow fields. Mainly along north and west edges. Wheat is a very hearty crop and can withstand a hell of a beating but we need substantial moisture soon.”

Central Hamilton County farmer Matt Haslett added, “I have seen a few chisels running in the southern part of the county but fortunately have not had any fields start blowing. The topsoil is like powder and in some fields the dust is a half inch deep where they have already chiseled. The most devastating loss I have had so far is from the geese eating a field clean off that is close to town.” 

Over 100 years ago the prairie grass was broken out to become a grain system that area farmers have inherited. 

Farmers and lay persons from outside the area may ask what happened? 

Weed control is a major factor where the choices are tillage or herbicides. 

Tillage removes surface residue and degrades the soil structure creating the potential for blowing dirt.

We are in similar conditions as in the dirty 30s and the 1950s and 1960s with extended drought and periods of high surface winds.

 We are a low rainfall region. Our average is 17 inches per year. We received 58.5% of normal rainfall during the last 18 months. 

Herbicides can control weeds and leave surface residue in place at the same time. 

Herbicides comes with its own issues - herbicide resistant weeds, higher costs that aren’t always shared with the land owner, and handling herbicide is inherently dangerous. 

A short grass system is only as good as the person in charge of grazing. It can easily blow from over grazing. 

Without irrigation the logistics of switching from current farming practices is limited by farmer experience, landowners comfort with risk, federal farm programs and crop insurance. 

Let the land rest? That also brings issues. Financial ones. How will the farmer survive? Where does the feed come from? The landlord can also choose to find a farmer who will farm it the way the landowner wants.

Modern day advances like no till, cover crops, and adaptive grazing are options but as any Hamilton County farmer will tell you, none of this matters if there is no rainfall.

Currently, Hamilton County is in Extreme Drought according to the United States Drought Monitor.

Conditions fall on a scale of None, Abnormally Dry, Moderate Drought, Severe Drought, Extreme Drought and Exceptional Drought.