4-generation farming family diversifies crops

With Perkins County currently in a moderate drought, the 2022 growing season may be a challenge for area farmers if the dry trend doesn’t turn around. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the previous 60-90 day precipitation totals rank in the top five driest on record. “Hopefully we will get some rain this spring,” said Travis Theiler, grain originator at Frenchman Valley Coop in Grant. “We are in dire need of it.”

The last significant moisture received in Perkins County was in October, with a wet, 6-inch snow. Since then, only a few, powdery dry snows have been received. Theiler said most of the wheat in Perkins County falls in the poor or fair range currently.

Periodic drought is one factor encouraging some area farmers to diversify their crops. This being the final year of a five-year irrigation allocation cycle is also a factor to be considered by area producers, especially if they have exceeded 13 inches annually in the previous four years.

Milo and millet are gaining attention as alternative crops for their lower input costs. Millet produces a tiny seed that is utilized in bird seed. Milo is another grain that demand is growing for, especially by China, where it is used in the fermentation of a beverage produced there. A record amount of milo was produced in the Chappell area last year. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see more farmers in the Grant and Venango area planting milo and millet,” Theiler said.

One such Perkins County farming family, the Kemlings, tried both millet and milo for the first time in the 2021 growing season.

The Kemling family has been farming in Perkins County for nearly 100 years, encompassing four generations.

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