USA - High winds cause major loss for area farmers

31.07.2018 624 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
18.06.2026

Sri Lanka expands crop insurance to protect farmers from climate risks

Sri Lanka's Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board has expanded crop insurance programs to give farmers stronger protection against natural disasters and climate-related risks, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation said in a statement on Thursday.

18.06.2026

India - Bengal to finally join Fasal Bima, Bihar may follow suit

Amid forecasts of a below-normal monsoon, West Bengal will rejoin the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) this kharif season, followed by Bihar in the upcoming rabi season, significantly expanding India's agrarian safety net.

18.06.2026

Heavy rain causes NT$67 million in agricultural losses across Taiwan

Continuous heavy rainfall since June 8 has caused agricultural losses totaling NT$67.56 million (US$2.14 million), with peanuts accounting for the largest share of the damage, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

18.06.2026

A modern quarantine zone for livestock will be built in Kyrgyzstan

On June 18, 2026, a meeting took place at the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic between First Deputy Minister Ilich Marsbek uulu and a delegation from the Saudi Development Fund. 

18.06.2026

Raccoons ravage watermelon fields in Japan's Chiba Pref. as damage mounts

A surge in raccoon numbers in Chiba Prefecture in eastern Japan has left watermelon farmers struggling as the nocturnal animals devour fruit just before harvest. 

18.06.2026

USA - Florida Tries to Block Rescue Pets from New Mexico and Texas as Screwworm Spreads

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Pets has barred pets rescued from shelters in Texas and New Mexico in a beefed-up effort to stop the spread of the New World Screwworm pest that infests livestock.

16.06.2026

India - Harish Rao accuses Congress govt of plotting to scrap crop bonus

BRS deputy floor leader T Harish Rao accused the Congress government of conspiring to phase out the crop bonus scheme by limiting it to just seven paddy varieties, despite promising Rs 500 bonus for all varieties in its manifesto.

16.06.2026

CBE and EIC Forge Historic Partnership to Advance Ethiopia’s Financial Sector

​The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) and the Ethiopian Insurance Corporation (EIC) have signed a historic partnership agreement to elevate their long-standing cooperation.