USA - High winds cause major loss for area farmers

31.07.2018 382 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
12.01.2026

South Africa - Farmers demand access to vaccines as foot-and-mouth disease devastates KZN

KwaZulu-Natal farmers and agricultural organisations are escalating pressure on the state over the uncontrolled spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), warning that vaccine shortages and bureaucratic delays have left the province on the brink.

12.01.2026

Nepal - Ilam farmers hit by insurance gap

Although the government has prioritised agricultural insurance, there is virtually no crop insurance in Ilam. 

12.01.2026

Vietnam - Farmers devastated after harsh weather decimates crucial crops

Hundreds of farmers in the Quỳnh Thắng area of Nghệ An, Vietnam, have lost numerous pineapple crops due to prolonged rain and humidity. 

12.01.2026

Rwanda - Demand first, production second: How Afri Foods builds export-ready supply chains

Operating through a network of more than 500 smallholder farmers, Afri Foods is a young Rwandan agrifood exporter positioned at the intersection of gender inclusion and technology-enabled scaling. The company was founded in 2019 by Sakina Usengimana and currently focuses on avocados and chilies.

12.01.2026

Flowers bloom on cocoa trees ahead of Ivory Coast's mid-crop season

Mainly above-average rains last week in most of Ivory Coast’s main cocoa regions augur well for the development of the next April-to-September mid-crop, farmers said on Monday.

12.01.2026

Overlooked decline in grazing livestock brings risks and opportunities

For decades, researchers have focused on the problem of overgrazing, in which expanding herds of cattle and other livestock degrade grasslands, steppes and desert plains. But a new global study reveals that in large regions of the world, livestock numbers are substantially declining, not growing—a process the authors call destocking.

11.01.2026

USA - USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) helping wheat farmers fight a devastating crop disease

Researchers released a new spring wheat germplasm line with resistance to Fusarium head blight.

11.01.2026

Kenya - Government Mobilises Food and Livestock Relief for Mandera Amid Drought

The Government of Kenya has mobilised food and non-food essentials for urgent delivery to areas affected by food and nutrition shortages caused by adverse weather and low rainfall during the recently ended short rains.