Wantland tops state 4-H dairy judging contest

Lila Wantland judged herself to the top of the senior division of the Missouri State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest. The contest was held Aug. 17 at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. Wantland was the high individual in the intermediate division of the state contest in 2018.

Water availability

Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report

Impact of major weather events

Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report

Wildlife population trends

Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report

Atrazine detects in surface water

Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report

Farmer participation in conservation programs

Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report

Precision ag tools

Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report

Fertilizer usage and efficiency

Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report

Chemical and pesticide use

Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report

Irrigation and water use efficiency

Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report

Biotechnology use and adoption of GE crops

Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report

Tillage practices

Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report

Cropping history

Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report

Major land uses

Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report

African swine fever reduces China’s pork production

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) projects that by the end of 2019, China’s total swine inventory will be down by 18%. Indeed, the USDA estimated that the Chinese sow inventory was down 12% at the start of 2019.

Corn prices headed up?

The outlook for corn prices is more positive because corn is likely to experience a significant downward supply shock. Not only will planted area be reduced, but the yields will also likely be significantly lower.

A glut of soybeans?

The combination of the ongoing trade war, large carry-in stocks, fewer hogs in China and the potential shift of corn area to soybeans could result in a large abundance of soybeans, but this is far from certain given the severity of planting delays.

Missouri planting progress data as of June 23, 2019

The rain returned to Missouri this past week, leaving only 2.1 days suitable for fieldwork. Soybean plantings progressed by 9 percentage points, but progress was minimal in corn, rice and cotton.

Proper disposal of flood-damaged grain

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Inspect buildings and look for fire hazards

Once an area has been cleared for you to return, stay out of any buildings where floodwaters remain. Avoid using candles or open flames. Instead, use battery-powered lanterns or flashlights to reduce fire hazards.

First steps home after a flood

As floodwaters recede and you’re allowed back into your home or business to assess the damage, take lots of pictures of the building and its contents to document damages for insurance claims.

Removing water from flooded basements

Before you enter a flooded basement, take the following steps:Turn off electricity and gas. Check outside basement walls for possible cave-ins, evidence of structural damage or other hazards. Open doors and windows.

Saving food after a power outage

Those of us in the Midwest know that spring storms can bring power outages. When freezers and refrigerators are off for several hours, whether it’s due to a storm or an accident, the food safety rules about what to keep or toss are the same.

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