St. Joseph News-Press

Steven Kirk, a researcher with the University of Missouri, discusses ways to trap moths at the Hundley-Whaley Farm Research Center in Albany, Mo., Wednesday. This summer has been one of the coolest on record, which may have contributed to higher insect populations for some species.

ALBANY, Mo. — A cool wind blew and rain dampened the field day at Hundley-Whaley Farm Research Center on Wednesday.

That makes for a typical day in 2008.

“It’s been an amazing year in regard to precipitation and temperature,” Pat Guinan, a climatologist with University of Missouri Extension, told farmers at the field day.

Temperatures have been below normal every month this year, except for June which was right at normal. Rain was recorded on 44 straight days in April through June at the research farm in Albany.

“No wonder it was so difficult to find a window of opportunity for planting,” Mr. Guinan said.

In the first seven months of 2008, the state received 40 inches of rain, which is typically the total amount for the year.

Farmers, however, didn’t complain about Wednesday’s rain. August’s rainfall has been practically nonexistent and Gentry County is about the driest in the state, Mr. Guinan said.

Considering record prices for grain — and corresponding high prices for fuel and fertilizer — growers were interested in learning tips to eke out the most yield from their soils. The field day presented information about the latest research on fertilizer, weed killer and pests that affect corn and soybeans.

The wet weather is expected to cut corn yields 20 to 40 bushels per acre this year because of the nitrogen fertilizer that was lost from the soil, said Peter Scharf with the University of Missouri.

“There is not a top eight corn-growing state that didn’t have a problem,” he said.

Cooler temperatures also may be contributing to an increase in some pests, including the soybean aphid, said Wayne Bailey, University of Missouri Extension entomologist. It’s also possible that pesticides used on crops killed off the beneficial insects that eat the aphids.

Mr. Bailey said he is particularly concerned about a corn earworm pest moving into the area. The bugs also feed on soybeans, roses, cotton and other plants. One larvae can strip all the pods off a soybean stem.

Business editor Susan Mires can be reached

at susanm@npgco.com.