Opening day of dove season, Labor Day weekend, kids are back in school, State Fair, and football season is here again! That means days are getting shorter, temperatures will start dropping and combines will begin rolling in the corn fields - just as soon as they dry out some. What a growing season it’s been thus far! At least there’s no current forage shortage for cattle grazing in lush pastures, and we’re not hauling water. This is usually the time of year we pray for rains to kick the fescue back into production. I just pray the water gap fence stays put with each rain.

Chuck's Chat-Welcome to August!

It has started with a bang here along the Sycamore Urban Boundary. I was rudely awakened by the thunder and lightning around 2am this morning. It was concerning enough that I got up to check the local radar, and it indicated we were on the extreme west edge of the meteorological activities. And the leading edge winds; I wouldn’t be surprised if there isn’t some corn leaning southward now. I’m sure there is tree damage between here and Joplin.

Chuck's Chat-Welcome to July!

Official rainfall total for Independence in June was 8.62 inches, with the average being 6.34. I know for a fact other areas of Montgomery County received more. I’ve repaired the water gap fence in the creek more this year than probably the previous four years combined. Nonetheless, my cattle have fresh running water, as well as a full pond. The grass is thick, and so are the mosquitoes. And the humidity, oh my.

Chuck's Chat-Welcome to June!

But first, a little May recap. According to the National Weather Service, Independence received 16.67 inches of rain. I’m sure there are some isolated areas that received more. That represents one-fourth to one-third of our average annual rainfall. May is typically the month we receive the most rain, with an average of 6.5 inches. We sure blew that average out of the water. (too soon?)