Last year saw the most widespread drought the United States has seen since the 1950s.

The effect the weather had on crop production helped to heighten many people’s awareness of just how dependent our country is on farmers’ ability to produce enough crops and livestock to keep the rest of us fed.

With our population over 300 million and the weather continuing to be unpredictable – this winter so far is on pace to set a record for lack of snow – the ability of farmers and bio-engineers to roll with what mother nature throws at them will remain critical.