1. Global Climate Change's Effects On Agriculture
Alexander Kirchner
Larissa Shewczyk
Lee Welhouse

2. Crop Background
Wheat
Varieties: Winter Wheat, Spring Wheat
Soy
Corn

3. Variables Only Atmospheric Effects Surface Air Temperature
Total Cloud Cover
Precipitation
Snow and Ice Coverage

4. Overall Results

5. Overall Results

6. Results: Winter Wheat
Effects of temperature and changes in snow and ice cover during the winter months
Increased growing area to the north as winters become relatively milder
Increased Spring precipitation should reduce crop yields

7. Results: Soy Changes In Growing Season
Decrease in spring snow and ice coverage allows for earlier planting
Resiliency allows for adaptation
Due to soy’s resiliency it is able to thrive despite increasing temperatures and generally decreasing trends in summer precipitation

8. Results: Corn and Spring Wheat
Total crop yield should increase
Favorable conditions for increased crop yield
Extended growing season in northern region of Corn Belt
~1 or 2 weeks
Warmer spring temps., reduced snow and ice coverage

9. Conclusions Expected extended growing season for crops
Numerous forcings leads to uncertainty in expected crop yields
Other aspects of climate change’s effects on agriculture that can be studied