Wind and Hail Damage Area Crops

The injury from wind and hail damage hit many parts of northwest Missouri. Wind damage occurred about a month ago that affected northern Atchison, parts of Nodaway and Gentry counties. "Then we had two days of storms that combined straight wind and hail causing some of the worse crop injury that I have seen in my career in the Maryville area," explained Wayne Flanary, Agronomist with University of Missouri Extension.

Hail damage around the area varies in intensity. Crops around Maryville and Nodaway County were heavily damaged along with reports of damage in other counties. The worse hail damage looks as if the corn crop was harvested as the field is brown. Corn stalks are cut and lying on ground along with ears. Soybean stems also cut and lodged. This damage will be a complete loss.

Lighter damaged corn fields have shredded leaves, bruising and lodged corn. Most corn fields were in the dent stage. The starch is hardening causing a milk line. This line moves from the top of the kernel toward the cob. Kernels at this stage will not abort. Kernels may be lighter as the kernel continues to dry down. This is good news where corn fields have standing stalks with ears that can be harvested.

The wind damage from straight line winds broke and bent corn stalks over. In places, it's the whole field whereas others, there are areas within the field. This will be a slow harvest as growers try to pick-up as much lodged corn as possible.

As far as soybeans, the damage occurred during seed fill. The soybean plant takes energy from leaves and other plant parts and places this energy into the seed. Defoliation, broken stems, lodged soybeans all can be found.

Soybean plants will adjust growth for the condition of the individual plant. Four days after the injury, we are seeing brown pods which the soybean plant will abort and they will drop to the ground.

Soybeans will be affected greatly when leaves are lost and stems are bruised and cut. This damaged occurred during the critical seed fill. You can inspect your crops now and check for pod drop. With injury occurring this late in the season, plants will not compensate. They will set as much seed as each individual plant can with the stress placed on it.

The straight wind laid soybeans over in many fields. The shading affect of plants lying on top of each other will reduce yield.

For more information, contact Wayne Flanary at 660-446-3724 or Heather Benedict at 660-425-6434, Regional Agronomists, University of Missouri Extension.

Storm Season Coming; Is Your Property Protected?

Spring has arrived, which means severe storms are likely across Missouri in the next few months. The Missouri Department of Insurance is encouraging consumers to make sure their property is protected and accounted for.

Department Director John M. Huff says consumers should review their homeowners or renters insurance policies to make sure they understand what's covered and what's not. Huff says most standard policies cover losses from fire, theft, tornadoes and strong winds and hail. But he says the standard homeowners policy does not cover damage from flooding, earthquakes or sewer and drain backups. This type of damage requires consumers to buy extra coverage.

"Don't assume you're insured against all types of damage to your home or business," said Huff. "Consumers should talk to their homeowners insurance agent to determine whether they need these extra protections."

Renters should consult an insurance agent as well. Tenants need renters insurance to cover their belongings, while landlords are responsible for insuring the building itself.

The Department of Insurance also recommends completing a list of personal possessions, including jewelry, electronics, clothing and furniture. This checklist makes filing damage claims easier, and it helps you and your agent determine how much insurance you need, and what deductibles you should select.

The department offers a downloadable Home Inventory Checklist on its website. The publication walks consumers through each room of the house to document their possessions, when they were purchased and how much they cost, if that information is available.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners offers a free app that allows iPhone users to enter details and prices of their possessions, as well as digital photos.

As an alternative to these checklists, homeowners can take photos or video of their personal property. Regardless of what format you choose, keep a copy of your home inventory list in a fire-safe container and with your insurance agent. This list should be updated periodically.

Huff also says you should shop around every two or three years, even if you're satisfied with your current insurance policies. Rates change, and better deals may be available. Missouri has a highly competitive market for homeowners insurance, with more than 100 companies offering policies to consumers.

Consumers can file complaints or ask general questions about insurance by contacting the Missouri Department of Insurance at insurance.mo.gov or calling the Insurance Consumer Hotline at 800-726-7390.