USA - High winds cause major loss for area farmers

31.07.2018 525 views
Morgan County's agricultural industry was hit pretty hard Sunday evening, leaving several locals farms without crops to harvest or livestock to sell. The Morgan County Extension office received several calls Monday morning regarding damages from the storm that tore through the area. Marlin Eisenach from the Extension Office explained that the agricultural areas that were the most highly affected were between Brush and Snyder. "The wind was the most devastating thing for us," said Eisenach, who visited several affected farms Monday morning. "Where it hit, it really hit hard." Many crops were ruined, some even reported 100 percent loss. Unfortunately, due to the storm hitting late in the season, most affected farmers will have to wait until the next planting season to restore their crops. Eisenach confirmed that any growing crop in the area was bound to be affected. "The wind was so strong it just shredded up the crops," Eisenach said. The sugar beet and alfalfa crops were mangled by the winds, but the crop that endured the most physical damage was corn. According to Eisenach, many corn crops with completely blown over by the wind, having been snapped off at the base. In addition to the crop farms, several livestock farms were damaged as well. "Some flying debris cut up some of the livestock," said Eisenach. One of the farmers affected by the storm was Jason Holdren. He had a heifer entered in the 4-H Catch-It program at the Morgan County Fair that was hurt badly by the hail and debris in the storm. "We had her evaluated and the vet had seen she had bruising and welts," said Holdren. "They had to give her pain relievers and medicine to help with the inflammation." However, the bruised heifer was not the extent of the damages Holdren's farm saw. "All our crops were totaled. The windows in our house were broken. The windows in our vehicles were broken," he said. "But, we're completely blessed that everyone is safe and healthy." Holdren, like many other farmers in the area, is confident that he and his farm will bounce back from the storm in next year's growing season. But for now, all the farmers can do is wait. Source - http://www.fortmorgantimes.com
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