On a spring visit to the University of Georgia’s horticulture farm, Pam Knox, an agricultural climatologist, was met with an unusual sight: peach trees, mostly barren, with only leaves and a few brown fruits. This was the aftermath of one of Georgia’s warmest winters, followed swiftly by freezing temperatures in March. Knox recalls, “In just one night, they lost their entire crop.” Shockingly, she estimates that up to 95% of the state’s commercial peach yield was wiped out.

But Georgia, celebrated for its emblematic peaches, isn’t alone in its struggle against climate change. Cities like Houston, Tupelo, and Atlanta experienced some of their warmest winters this year. With the winter season warming at an accelerated pace, farmers across the region are innovating, using advanced agricultural techniques, exploring new crop varieties, and even diversifying into crops previously rare in their area.

Knox observes, “Winter in Georgia is warming most rapidly,” emphasizing a trend prevalent across the U.S. She further notes, “The expectation is for more such winters.”

Cody Mills, an extension agent from Mississippi State University, sheds light on how unpredictable weather is affecting planting schedules. “The unusually warm and wet winter pushed back the planting of crops like corn and soybeans as farmers awaited drier conditions. Even a delay of a couple of weeks can have cascading impacts on harvest timelines.”

The cattle industry hasn’t been spared either. Mills points out the rise in diseases due to a wet winter. Conditions favorable for pathogens and parasites have led to livestock ailments such as foot rot and diarrhea. In Texas, the warmer weather has its pros and cons. David Anderson, from Texas A&M University, explains that droughts have elevated hay prices, but cows consume less in warmer climes, balancing out the costs.

While farmers have historically adjusted to weather variations, today they’re pivoting in response to overarching climate change. In Georgia, some are venturing into early-blooming peach varieties that are less dependent on cold spells, although these might be more frost-prone. Furthermore, there’s been an experimental shift to crops like citrus and olives, typically grown in milder climates.

Meanwhile, in Mississippi, the focus is on corn varieties with shorter growth cycles. Researchers are also enhancing vaccines to combat livestock diseases exacerbated by climate shifts.

Brandi Karisch from Mississippi State University emphasizes the importance of flexibility in farming, “Sticking to ‘how we’ve always done it’ can spell the end for a business.”

Despite the challenges, Knox remains optimistic about Georgia’s agricultural future. She believes that farmers, in observing the warming trend, are viewing it as a chance to diversify their agricultural portfolios, determining the best crop mixes for changing conditions.

In Knox’s words, “Farmers are identifying opportunities amidst these challenges, adapting and finding ways to capitalize on them.”