Precipitation Welcome Sight For Sunflower Growers

Soil moisture is a concern right now for sunflower growers.

 

Morgan Cott is an Agronomy Extension Specialist (Special Crops) with the Manitoba Crop Alliance.

 

"I think one of the main things that we're worried about right now is moisture obviously, and whether we're going to be planting into moisture," she said. "Whether the sunflower root, because it's such a huge root, whether it's going to have access deep down to water, so that's my number one concern right now. We're getting moisture now, which is great. I think as long as producers, when they're planting, they're doing everything everything right and taking their time and placing the seed where it needs to be, taking care of weeds and insects before they emerge is always a good tip that we like to give."

 

Cott expects sunflower planting to get underway next month.

Video: Veteran Farmers: A Legacy of Service in Rural America

Veterans Day is a time to honor the men and women who have selflessly protected our freedoms and values. And for some, the transition from military service to civilian life brings them back to the farm.

At Farm Bureau, we believe it’s important to not only celebrate veterans but also those who continue to make a difference in agriculture and their community. We've partnered with Farm Credit to establish the Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence to shine a light on those who have continued to go above and beyond to serve their communities.

This year, we recognize retired Colonel Joe Ricker as the inaugural Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence winner. Joe served over 30 years in the Army before retiring from the Pentagon and completing tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Since leaving the Army, his commitment to excellence in farming and enriching the lives of veterans has blossomed in a myriad of ways in both his local community of Wilkinson, Indiana, and across the country. Joe grows apples and raises bees on his farm in Indiana. Joe founded “Veterans IN Farming,” an organization, now with more than 1,100 members, dedicated to providing veterans in Indiana with the tools and training to succeed in agriculture.

The American Farm Bureau Federation is an independent, non-governmental, voluntary organization, comprised of and directed by farm and ranch families who engage in all types of food, fuel and fiber production.