NAICC: How We Guide Growers in 2023
By Clark Poppert
As the 2023 NAICC president, here’s a bit of an introduction. I am a technical support agronomist for ServiTech Inc. and live in Geneva, Nebraska. During the 34 years I have been with the company, I have held many different positions. I am certified as a CPCC-I and a CCA. I have chaired numerous committees with the NAICC and have been an executive board member for five years.
Portions of theCorn Belt are experiencing moderate to severe drought that started more than two years ago. Parts of western Kansas started showing signs of drought in late spring 2020; drought conditions progressed and worsened as time passed. In 2022, southeast Nebraska started with a full or nearly full profile. This year, we have little subsoil moisture—an enormous change from last year. Here, our nonirrigated ground was found to have a full profile of moisture just ahead of the 2022 planting season. Although we received approximately 60% of annual precipitation in 2022, much of our area received timely rains, and producers ended last year’s growing season with average to just below average yields.
On The Edge
The concern for 2023 is not having adequate soil moisture to grow a crop close to average. If the drought continues, then yields will be far below average with many areas not being harvested at all. In 2022, large areas of central and western Kansas and Nebraska had dryland—nonirrigated—corn that did not progress to pollination because of the dry, parched conditions. If this trend continues through 2023, then the affected area will spread eastward. This will negatively affect overall U.S. corn production. The La Nina weather phenomenon that has controlled our weather pattern for the past two years is showing some signs of weakening. Forecasts suggest neutral weather or a move to a mild El Nino by midsummer 2023. This would be a great improvement, but will it be soon enough for 2023? That’s to be determined by time and Mother Nature. As agricultural advisers, our job is to assist growers in making educated decisions about the 2023 crop, so choose wisely.
Clark Poppert has 32 years with ServiTech Inc. serving in positions as Crop Specialist, Division Manager and Technical Support Agronomist. He has serviced approximately 500,000 acres in his career and was the 1998 Employee of the year. Poppert was also named the 2007 National Consultant of the Year by the NAICC (National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants). Clark was the 2019 NICCA (Nebraska Independent Crop Consultant Association) State President and is serving in that same role in 2022. He currently serves as a National Director on the NAICC Board.
