Freeze Causes Estimated $112 Million in Damage
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
LXXXII-No. 5 May 2007 From the Freeze causes estimated $112 million in damage tractor Easter weekend’s sub- could be days, even weeks, estimated losses of $26.5 state, plus find out which freezing temperatures caused before we know the true extent million. Other crops affected losses were insured and which an estimated $111.7 million in of the damage.” by the freeze included corn, were not,” Troxler said. “We crop losses in North Carolina, The damage estimate comes wheat, barley and Irish want to have the most accurate based on initial reports from from flash reports submitted by potatoes. assessment of the situation all 100 counties, according to U.S. Farm Service Agency Troxler encouraged farmers possible, so that we can move Agriculture Commissioner offices in counties across North to contact their local forward in making requests on Steve Troxler. Carolina. cooperative extension agent or behalf of the agricultural “This is a staggering According to the flash Farm Service Agency office to community.” preliminary estimate,” Troxler reports, nursery crops suffered report damage. County reports All farmers, whether or not said. “The Easter weekend the highest losses, $57.9 are vital to obtaining thorough they have crop insurance, freeze affected crops in the million. Fruits and vegetables, damage estimates, he said. should document the severity mountains, at the coast and which include apples, peaches “We are trying to determine and extent of crop damage with Steve Troxler everywhere in between. It and various berries, suffered the full extent of losses in the pictures or video, Troxler said. Commissioner Just last month I wrote in this column about how much I Care should be used when transporting pesticides look forward to spring and the As the 2007 planting people, animals and the pesticides transported in an such as non-chlorinated pet beginning of the growing season ramps up, Agriculture environment to be exposed to unlocked truck compartment season. With the unseason- litter, heavy-duty plastic bags, Commissioner Steve Troxler these chemicals.” or open-bed truck. Whenever and a temporary storage ably warm weather we were reminds farmers to take The following are important possible, safely transport having in mid-March, I guess container preferably made of precautions when tips to keep in mind when pesticides in locked plastic. I was being optimistic that we transporting pesticides, transporting pesticides: compartments, and use two had put winter behind us. -- When possible, inspect including properly securing -- Always transport pest- forms of containment if all containers at the time of Truth is, I couldn’t have them and not transporting icides separately from food, possible. been more wrong, as evi- purchase and before loading. them in the passenger area of seed, grain, livestock feed, -- Never allow children, Accept the product only if denced by the Easter weekend a vehicle. minerals and fertilizer. other passengers or pets to freeze that set new record-low labels are legible and firmly “Traffic accidents can -- Do not carry pesticides in ride with pesticides. attached. Check all caps and temperatures for the state and occur at anytime, even when the passenger compartment of -- Keep a hazardous- brought devastating damage tighten them if necessary. you’re traveling a short cars, vans or trucks. Vapors material spill kit in the vehicle, Avoid tossing, sliding or to fruit, vegetable and nursery distance, so it pays to use released from pesticides can be especially if you frequently crops. dragging containers over extra caution,” Troxler said. hazardous to the driver and transport pesticides. These rough surfaces that could rip, Although initial damage “If pesticide containers aren’t passengers, and the chemicals kits commonly contain estimates from the freeze tear or puncture. Never properly loaded, they can fall can cause injury if spilled. The chemical-resistant gloves, transport damaged or leaking totaled nearly $112 million, we off a vehicle or become driver is responsible and coveralls, goggles, shovel, are continuing to assess the pesticide containers. punctured or torn, which potentially liable if anyone is dust pan, broom, absorbent -- Secure all containers to situation to determine if there increases the potential for accidentally exposed to pads and absorbent materials will be longer-term damage (See Safety, pg. 12) done to trees and plants. This is a very real possibility, but Horse Events we’ll have to wait and see. Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. Horse Complex, State Fairgrounds, Raleigh, (919) 733-4845. As of press time, we have May 12 & 13 . Triangle Wide Horsemens Assn. Show. Contact Sammy Jenkins, (919) 362-8203. had reports of about $58 May 18 & 19 . Plantation Walking Horse Show. Contact Lila Corey, (919) 556-0161. million in damage to nursery May 23-26 ..... Southern States Morgan Show. Contact Fran Pugh, (919) 834-2191. stock, $26.5 million to fruits June 1-3 .......... CDI-W Ral./Capital Dressage Classic. Contact Janine Malone, (919) 269-7307. June 9 .............. Wake Co. 4-H Horse Show. Contact Heather Tart, (919) 250-1093. and vegetables, $12 million in June 10 ........... District 4-H Horse Show. Contact Jean Crocker, (919) 965-3194. damage to corn and around June 16 & 17 .. Tarheel Appaloosa Show. Contact Mitch Petway, (919) 467-3377. $12 million to wheat and other June 16 & 17 .. Johnston Co. Horse Show Series. Contact Michele McLaughlin, (919) 934-1344. small grains. Western N.C. Agricultural Center, Fletcher, (828) 687-1414. It is important to remember May 3 ............. Arden Horse Show. Contact Gayna Woody, (828) 775-9708. May 4-6 ......... NBHA State Finals. Contact Mark Vaughn, (919) 998-9799. these are initial estimates and May 5 ............. Sheriff’s Mounted Patrol Open Horse Show. Contact Wallace Mooney, (828) 606-7971. could go up or down as more May 6 ............. Western District 4-H Horse Show. Contact Heather Gordon, (828) 586-4009. information is gathered. Some May 11& 12 .. Asheville Spring Classic A SB Horse Show. Contact Ray Cloninger, (704) 483-5000. of the freeze damage might not May 16-19 ..... Asheville Lions Club Benefit Horse Show. Contact Jackie Rice, (828) 252-5706. be evident for several more May 24 ........... Arden Horse Auction. Contact Gayna Woody, (828) 775-9708. May 26 & 27 . NCCMSA – Cowboy Mounted Shooting 704. Contact Tommy Richardson, (828) 753- weeks or even months from 5399. now. May 31 ........... Arden Horse Auction. Contact Gayna Woody, (828) 775-9708. Shortly after the freeze, we June 2 & 3 ...... Paint Horse Show. Contact Sharon Church, (336) 667-8775. heard from farmers from one June 8 & 9 ...... National Walking Horse Assoc. Gaited Horse Gala. Contact Glenda Lovin, (803) 571- end of the state to the other 0188. Sen. Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center, Williamston, (252) 792-5111. about the type of problems May 4 & 5 ..... NE District 4-H Horse Show. Contact Vanessa Spiron, (252) 902-1712. they were having with their May 11-13 ..... NCQHA Spring Classic Quarter Horse Show. Contact Beth Tew, (252) 753-8069. crops. Initially we were May 19 & 20 . Spring Eastern Hunter Assn. Horse Show. Contact Wendy Willson, (252) 916-3685. concerned strawberries would May 25-27 ..... VRHA Memorial Day Show. Contact Gail Berghorn, (813) 426-5707. be hit hard because they were June 1-3 .......... NCQHA-District IV Little River Circuit Show. Contact Susan Daniels, (919) 894-2973. June 2 & 3 ...... SE District 4-H Horse Show. Contact Annie Moore, (910) 324-2555. coming in a bit earlier than June 9 & 10 .... NCQHA 7th Annual All Novice Show & Clinic. Contact Jimmy Johnson, (252) 243- normal, but while there was 5390. damage, overall they seemed June 14-17 ...... Carolina Classic Derby. Contact Mike Hancock, (252) 937-2800. (See Freeze, pg. 12) *Shows subject to change. Call before attending. ** More Horse Events in Bucolic Briefs. Page 2 AGRICULTURAL REVIEW May 2007 Agricultural Review Bucolic briefs 45,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $2,163.72 or 5 The Mid-Atlantic Professional Rodeo Association will host the following rodeo events in May cents per copy. DIVISIONS & June: May 4 & 5 at the Double P Arena in Vale; May 18 & 19, Pickens County Fairgrounds, Brian Long ........................................................ Editor Agronomic ............. Dr. Colleen Hudak-Wise Greenville, S.C.; May 25 & 26, Old Gilkey School Ballfield Arena, Rutherfordton; June 1 & 2 , Andrea E. Ashby .................................... Mng. Editor Emergency Programs .... Dr. Marty Zaluski Iredell County Fairgrounds Arena, Troutman; June 8 & 9, American Legion Park Arena, Edenton; Terri Allen ...................................... Advertising Mgr. Food Distribution ........................... Gary Gay June 15 & 16, Pilot Lions Club Arena, Pilot; June 29 & 30, Rotary Fairgrounds Arena, North Food & Drug .............................. Joe Reardon Lisa Morgan .................................... Circulation Mgr. Human Resources ................... Ben Harward Wilkesboro. All events start at 8 p.m. Call (704) 882-6994 for more. Jen Nixon .............................................. Assoc. Editor Marketing ....................................... Tom Slade *** Meat & Poultry Inspection Dr. Steve Wells The 6th Annual Antique Farm Days show will be held May 4 & 5 at the Wayne County N.C. State Fair ........................ Wesley Wyatt AGRICULTURAL REVIEW (ISSN 07445466) Plant Industry ............................. Gene Cross Fairgrounds. The event features