By Mike Surbrugg
msurbrugg@joplinglobe.com
NEVADA, Mo. — First, there was the drought in 2006. Then came a late freeze in April. Now, a whole lot of rain, bugs and disease are taking turns punishing farm fields in the region.
On Monday, Pat Miller, University of Missouri Extension agronomist in Nevada, said wheat fields in that area have diseases in addition to freeze damage. Weevils, cut worms and armyworms also are appearing in many fields, and fungus is in some trees, shrubs and field crops, she said.
“The alfalfa fields have a lot of bugs,” she said.
She and other extension specialists in the area recommend farmers consider cutting fescue now to beat armyworms and to get better quality hay.
“We seldom get this done because of rain or being too busy in other fields and get around to cutting fescue later,” she said.
Jay Chism, extension agronomist, Lamar, said he has received many calls from farmers asking about armyworms in grass and wheat fields.
Fields should be checked late in the day or at night. Spraying is economically justified with an average of four half-grown or larger armyworms per square foot, he said.
Armyworms got their name because they seemingly march across fields, leaving little in their aftermath.
County extension centers can recommend control procedures.
As fields dry, expect a lot of fescue to be cut and baled, said John Hobbs, an extension specialist who farms in McDonald County.
Wheat crop forecast
The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts Missouri’s wheat crop will total only 31.5 million bushels, down 36 percent from 2006. However, the Kansas crop could be up 24 percent to 361 million bushels, the same rate of increase as predicted for the nation. The Oklahoma wheat crop is forecast at 161 million bushels, up 97 percent from 2006, but Northeast Oklahoma is expected to have less wheat production.
Local News
<img src="http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/extra.gif" border=0>Troubles unrelenting for many area farmers<font color="#ff0000"> w/ Information on how to control armyworms </font>
- Local News
-
-
City wants to buy weather radios for those without
Phil Jones had been working on a construction project outside his house all day on May 22 and was unaware that a tornado watch had been issued. Once he was inside, though, his weather radio went off, and he learned that a warning had been issued.
-
Architects present preliminary JHS plans at community meeting
Reaction appeared mostly supportive Thursday night among the roughly 50 people who attended a community meeting at which architects presented their preliminary site plans for the future combined Joplin High School and Franklin Technology Center.
-
Confessed shooter testifies against co-defendants in Pittsburg murder case
Rickey Smith testified Thursday that as he came in the back door of Ryan Bailey’s home in Pittsburg with a 9 mm pistol in his hand, Bailey looked up from the couch in his living room.
-
School district’s proposed street-closing plan questioned
Plans to close some streets near the proposed Joplin High School drew questions, including a challenge from a former Joplin mayor, during a public hearing this week.
-
Neosho council approves new golf cart contract
The purchase of golf carts was back on the agenda this week for the Neosho City Council. City Attorney Steve Hays said there were errors in the financing terms that were part of a bid approved last month for the purchase of 55 gas-powered carts from E-Z-Go for $144,195, so the purchase of a new fleet was rebid.
-
Mike Pound: Spirit of competition evident during double-overtime game
When I played basketball in high school, I played in several very close games.
Now, some people who may have known me in high school are probably laughing right now and saying, “What Mike meant to say is that when he was in high school, he came very close to playing in some games.” -
Mo. optometrist filed $40 million refund claim
A southwest Missouri optometrist who filed a tax return claiming a $40 million refund has been sentenced to four years and three months in federal prison.
-
Okla. receives waiver from No Child Left Behind
Oklahoma’s top education official reacted with glee Thursday with the announcement that the state is one of 10 states being granted a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind law that requires students be proficient in reading and math by 2014 — but focused on getting students to “just pass the tests.”
-
Kan. House approves bipartisan redistricting bill
Power in the Kansas House is likely to shift next year from rural parts of the state to the Kansas City area after members overwhelmingly approved a bipartisan bill Thursday for redrawing their districts.
-
Fugitive in 1993 British heist arrested in Ozark
A man suspected of stealing about $1.5 million from a security van in England in 1993 has been arrested in southwest Missouri.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
