Grain Farmers Making Great Strides
in Tough Harvest Season
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 10, 2009
Contact: Adam Buckallew (573) 635-3819
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Thanks to the marvels of modern
technology and long working hours, Missouri grain farmers took advantage
of last week's drier weather to make significant harvest progress.
A week ago, frustrated farmers were facing a corn harvest 36 days behind
normal with only 49 percent of the crop harvested. Adding to their woes,
the soybean harvest was lagging 22 days behind the norm at 33 percent
complete. However, aided by modern technology, farmers across the state
have been able to perform under these tough circumstances. Missouri's
corn harvest improved 13 points to 62 percent complete, while soybean
harvest surged 31 points to 64 percent complete for the week ending Nov.
8.
"
Although Mother Nature has limited our time in the fields, with the break
in rains, elevators extending hours and relaxed weight limits for grain
trucks, we were able to make up a lot of ground last week," said
Kenny McNamar, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council chairman and farmer
from Gorin, Mo. "Missouri farmers have done a tremendous job of
working under the constraints beyond our control to provide a quality
product for our customers."
Larger equipment armed with technology that optimizes efficiency ensures
growers can deliver to the marketplace. Biotechnology has also contributed
to the farmers' ability to supply the world with food, feed and fuel
by improving crop quality and yield.
"
Many farmers across the state were forced to plant this year's crop later
than they would have liked due to the weather," said Keith Phillips,
Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council chairman and farmer from Kahoka,
Mo. "Recent advancements in biotechnology, genetics and crop protection
have helped to create opportunities for farmers to maximize yield potential,
even in a challenging growing season like we experienced in 2009."
Corn production in Missouri is forecast at 438 million bushels, 15 percent
above last year's crop. Soybean farmers are expected to produce 233 million
bushels statewide, 22 percent above the 2008 harvest. If realized this
would be the third largest corn crop and largest soybean crop on state
record.
Updates on Missouri's crop status can be found online at http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Missouri/index.asp.
Additional information on Missouri's corn farmers and the grain they
produce is available at www.mocorn.org. To learn more about soybeans
in the Show-Me State visit www.mosoy.org.
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