A northwest Missouri farmer is heading to federal prison after being sentenced for his role in the largest organic fraud scheme in American history. Federal prosecutors in Iowa have announced that 52-year-old John Burton of Clarksdale has been sentenced to 22 months in federal prison, for his role in the 142-million dollar scheme, […]
Tag: poisoning
Grundy County authorities conduct search for man ranting about Monsanto
Grundy County Sheriff Rodney Herring reports a male subject trespassing on private property southwest of Trenton Sunday afternoon ran from deputies and into the Thompson River. The man was allegedly ranting about Monsanto poisoning the air when he was located and taken home. The man, whose name has not been released, is from Maryville but […]
Investigation by authorities reveals cause of death for Chillicothe man who committed suicide
A farmer and former Chillicothe school board member sentenced to 122 months in federal prison Friday for a 142 million dollar grain fraud scheme has died. Officers were sent to conduct a well-being check and upon arrival, Chillicothe Police Chief Jon Maples and Livingston County Coroner Scott Lindley report Randy Constant was found deceased inside […]
Audio: More than 200 Missouri cattle die of nitrate poisoning in past month
More than 200 head of cattle have died of nitrate poisoning in Missouri in roughly the past month. University of Missouri Extension beef nutritionist Eric Bailey says the problem has become worse because of the extended winter. University of Missouri Extension beef nutritionist Eric Bailey says weather extremes have contributed to toxic levels […]
High nitrate in hay can, and is, killing beef cows in complex ways
Two years of abnormal weather changed plant growth, which changes livestock digestion and in the end, cows die. The words “it’s very complex” kept popping up in a University of Missouri emergency teleconference of state and regional MU Extension specialists. This winter farmers find groups of cows dead, often falling on newly unrolled baled hay. […]
Cattle farmers must guard against high nitrate in hay which causes cow deaths
On top of dealing with harsh winter weather in feeding cows, cattle farmers must guard against too much nitrate in poor-quality hay. “Just from cases we’ve confirmed, I know of 150 cows dying in the last month,” says Tim Evans, head toxicologist at the University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. High nitrate, mostly concentrated in […]
FEMA urging residents to prepare as record cold temperatures envelop the area
As officials from the National Weather Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Region VII office continue monitoring the development of an arctic outbreak that could bring recording-setting cold temperatures to several cities throughout the Midwest, residents are encouraged to act now, preparing both their home and families for whatever may arise. “We are […]
Mercer County Health Department to participate in Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
The Mercer County Health Department and the Department of Health and Senior Services’ Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program will participate in a campaign to raise awareness of blood lead testing in children younger than 72 months old. Personnel wearing health jackets will place red bags with information packets about lead on doors in the City […]
Audio: USDA app can determine whether to keep or toss leftovers
A program can determine whether to keep or toss leftovers. The USDA has a mobile app called Food Keeper that can tell if food is still good to eat, based on the contents, when the food was put in the fridge, the fridge temperature and how long the food has been sitting at […]
Test cornstalks for nitrates before feeding
Test baled cornstalks for nitrate levels and feed them to cattle with caution, says University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Gene Schmitz. MU Extension agronomists across the state report high nitrate levels caused by this summer’s drought. County MU Extension centers offer nitrate testing. Before feeding cornstalk bales, it is important to know nitrate levels […]
Missouri Department of Conservation proposes requiring nontoxic shot on 36 dove hunting areas
The Missouri Department of Conservation is proposing regulations that will require the use of nontoxic shot for hunting doves on 20 conservation areas with heavy, concentrated dove hunting. MDC is also proposing adding 16 areas to its existing 21 conservation areas where non-toxic shot is required for all hunting with shotguns. The proposed regulations were […]
Chopped corn silage offers better control for beef producers
Farmers are looking to drought-stressed corn for silage and balage to stretch limited hay supplies. Chopped corn silage offers beef producers better options than balage, says University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Gene Schmitz. Silage allows better control of the amount of high-energy feed for wintering cattle, Schmitz says. Balage offers less flexibility and control […]