Fire Update

Remember the post back in April about a fire in the rural area surrounding my hometown of Satanta, KS? Well, if you didn't catch it you can go back and read it here.

I thought you might like to see an update of the ground that was involved in the fire. Months later, the fire occurred April 3rd actually, much of the 9600 acres burnt up has received little to no measurable amounts of rain. The only thing farmers have been able to combat the blowing dust and lack of growth with is irrigation in areas that are lucky enough to have those sources.

Pasture ground near Satanta, KS that was burnt by the April 3rd fire.

Picture taken on July 27, 2011.

Much of the grassland that burnt was pasture usually used to feed cattle in the area. Ranchers can utilize natural grasses to allow cattle to graze during spring, summer and into fall months. Due to the fire and then subsequent lack of moisture, the grass has not grown back. It's a struggle that agriculturists in the area must deal with for years to come on ground that has been in their families for generations.

Another view of the dry, burnt land near Satanta, KS.

It won't be making headlines that I am concerned about the severe drought my part of the state is currently experiencing. It's rough out there and I just hope the tides will change one of these days.

Kansas lawmakers are concerned about what is going on as well and have dedicated time, energy and resources to help the people affected by the drought. The Kansas economy depends heavily on what is produced by agriculturists across the state and whether these farmers and ranchers tend to the land out west, in the center or on the east side -they are working hard to put food on the table and I am proud to be from the center of the United States!

All my best,

Tera Rooney

Misery loves company...

They say if you want to complain about something in agriculture, someone somewhere else has it worse. Now, I'm not going to downplay any devastation across the midwest agriculture belt simply because it's bad no matter where you are it seems. Misery loves company and people really ban together in the face of destruction.

While many residents in the Missouri Valley are dealing with this...

Flooding in an IA corn field.

Doesn't it just about make you sick that so many counties in Kansas are dealing with this?

Contrast of parched land next to an irrigated KS wheat field earlier this spring.

I guess I hope this post makes you stop and think of everyone who is affected by the extreme weather this summer and will be dealing with it on a day to day basis. Many farmers and ranchers are in danger of losing precious ground that has been in production for generations whether it be to a flood or extreme drought. It's going to be a rough summer for many, but agriculturists are pulling their boots on every day and digging their heels in to the ground to hang on for the ride.

I thought these maps were neat, well neat might not be the word to use...

Counties in Kansas affected by severe drought.

Areas in the Missouri River Valley affected by the severe flooding.

Praying for those involved,

Tera Rooney

Weather permitting...

What seems to be chalked up as Snowpocalypse 2011 for much of the Midwest has successfully laid down a thick sheet of ice and is beginning to dump inches of snow in a large swath that is making it's way across the US. To top that off the temperatures are dipping well below zero in much of the area. Weather permitting, I believe I will take to the couch with my study materials and enjoy the heat of a nice fire. Weather permitting, I took a bit of time to think of the people who don't get the luxury of a snow day:

• I personally know hundreds of farmers and ranchers who woke up this morning to the same weather I did and headed out in coveralls to get to work. Work doesn't cease on a farm when weather gets nasty, it usually just heightens the load. The key farming states in the US - Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri have been hammered by a record-setting combination of ice, snow and just plain frigid conditions. This means a lot of animals and crops will be affected. Many ranchers are trying to get their animals to warmer grounds where they can be provided with a windbreak, dry bedding and fresh water.
• Off the ranch and into the city, as a storm sets into the Midwest region many traders who work at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange packed overnight bags to stay downtown. Many agriculture commodities will still be traded on the board, despite the weather. These commodities and futures are essential to our country's economy.
• Grain dealers across the prairie states are taking a hard hit and operating under skeleton crews only. Major grain companies, like ADM and Cargill, have reported many portions of their operations down because of the storm.
• A friend of mine who works at a Kroger plant, said that crews worked late into the night to keep up with the oncoming demand of what is termed, "snow bread". People flood grocery stores when bad weather is looming and deplete bread supplies. Kroger employees worked hard to help meet the demand.
• An ode to back home, the Southwest Kansas area, is the fact that nobody out there is surprised that they get hit with all the weather everyone else is, but none of the moisture! An already almost non-existent wheat crop will undoubtedly receive a lot of damage with such low temperatures coupled with the lack of moisture.

Even though this post is aimed towards highlighting agricultural jobs that face severe challenges with the weather, I don't want to take away from the fact that many others do the same thing. If you are enjoying a snow day today, take a moment to think of the people who work in the elements to deliver the mail, keep electricity working, clear off the roads, take care of sick patients, ensure national security and keep food on our tables!!!