By Blake Jackson
Missouri's diverse agriculture, as vibrant as its ever-changing weather, is facing a new challenge: a warming climate. Shifting rainfall patterns and rising temperatures are reshaping the landscape and what can be grown there. Winters with less bitter cold and hotter summers are already forcing crops to adapt.
Historically, Missouri's plant hardiness zones, which indicate a plant's tolerance to freezing temperatures, varied from north to south. Today, the entire state has shifted northward, encompassing zones 5b to 8a, with colder zones in the north. This means farmers must choose different crops depending on their location, with those in the north needing sturdier options.
As Missouri's climate inches closer to its southern neighbors, newer hardiness maps depict a significant northward shift. Agriculture, too, needs to adapt, embracing crops that thrive in warmer conditions.
One familiar sight, vast fields of corn, may gradually recede. While corn remains a staple, factors like climate change, along with competition from other crops, are impacting its dominance. Soybeans, for instance, once less common, are on the rise.
While more susceptible to frost than corn, soybeans benefit from warming temperatures. Additionally, they handle flooding better, a growing concern due to increased rainfall. This resilience gives soybeans an edge in Missouri's changing climate.
Flooding may also open doors for other crops, like cotton, especially along the Mississippi River. Though the scenery will undoubtedly change, with some familiar favorites giving way to new players, Missouri's agriculture promises to remain bountiful and adaptable.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-tlillico
Categories: Missouri, Weather