Crops

Corn and soybeans dominate the Midwestern landscape today, but farmers are integrating strips of native prairie back into their fields. This conservation practice has expanded to more than a dozen states, including Missouri.

A small insect carrying pathogens that can lead to corn stunt was confirmed in Missouri and Oklahoma for the first time. Experts are learning more about the insect and how the disease left its mark on corn fields.

The agriculture department’s annual projections show a slowing economy and lower crop prices for the upcoming year. The USDA also looks ahead to the next decade, showing rising crop yields but a competitive job market.

The consensus of agricultural economists is that crop prices, especially for corn, soybeans and cotton, will go down this year. The cost of farming is also expected to go down but not as much.

The corn and soybean crops in Missouri and Illinois are in better condition because of the recent rain, meaning it didn’t come too late in the growing season to make a difference.

Growing interest rates, high crop prices and rising transportation costs are making it more expensive to store grain — a critical step for many farmers. Economists and grain merchandisers say the market conditions leave them and farmers in an awkward place.

Also in response to the drought, Wentzville issued a voluntary water conservation declaration that takes effect Monday.

Missouri farm income is projected to decrease $546 million in the coming year.

The Missouri Soybean Association is funding the effort at Pittsburg State University in Kansas.

Many Midwest farmers will be feeling the effect of this summer’s abnormally wet weather for the rest of this year and into 2016. A new agricultural survey…