Winter Weather and Missouri Agriculture
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Winter Weather and Missouri Agriculture

Date: February 7, 2011
By: Brian Pepoon
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
Though large snowfalls blanketed the state, Missouri agriculture seems to be fine. Brian Pepoon has more from Jefferson City.
RunTime:  0:35
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: US Department of Agriculture's agricultural statistician Tommy Sallee is not too worried about what the snowfall means for crops.

Sallee says the snow will actually help protect the crop from the cold winter air through insulation.

Actuality:  SALLEE.WAV
Run Time:  00:04
Description: "As far as row crops, there just nothing in the ground that could have been hurt."

He says because the winter crop is seeded in the fall, they are not prone to a winter kill.

The snow will also protect lawns better than if the grass was exposed to the environment.

Sallee says the larger concern should be any livestock isolated as a result of the storms .

From Jefferson City, I'm Brian Pepoon.

Intro: 
Heavy snowfall covered most of Missouri's farmland, but won't affect this year's crop production. Brian Pepoon has more from Jefferson City.
RunTime:  0:31
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Much of Missouri is covered in white, but USDA agricultural statistician Tommy Sallee says low lying crops will be unaffected by the snow.

The crops Sallee says might be in trouble are those growing from trees.

Actuality:  SALLEE2.WAV
Run Time:  00:10
Description: "As far as crop production being hurt by the winter storm, there just isn't anything, unless it broke off branches from an apple or peach or pecan tree."

Snow will actually help insulate and protect the crops from harsh winter winds and crops are expected to be normal.

From Jefferson City, I'm Brian Pepoon.

 

Intro: 
The large amount of snow covering farmland will help protect Missouri's crops. Brian Pepoon has more from Jefferson City.
RunTime:  0:35
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: It may seem counterintuitive, but the cold snow covering Missouri helps insulate crops ready for spring harvest.

Winter wheat, one crop planted in Missouri during winter, is actually helped by an igloo effect snow provides.

Pomologist and professor Martin Kaps of Missouri State University says the snow will only help.

Actuality:  KAPS.WAV
Run Time:  00:10
Description: "Sometimes low temperatures below zero, negative digits like minus-5, minus-10 degrees fahrenheit, we can have some potential injuries on buds."

He finished by saying that farmers will not know of any damage until spring comes.

From Jefferson City, I'm Brian Pepoon.