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MARSHALL - The weather is dry now, but area farmers say a wet summer hasn't been the best for their crops.
Commodity prices are high, and farmers are finding ways to take advantage. The formula is simple: More crops, more yield, more money,and crop dusting could be the answer.
Sam Dyer makes a living soaring just a few feet above mid-Missouri crops. And at seventy years old, it's been a while since he remembers being so busy.
"I've been here every year, but I haven't had to hire outside help until this year. It's been about ten years since I've had to bring other aircraft in to help me," Dyer said.
And you can measure the difference at small local airports. Single engine aircraft traffic reached record highs for the month of July with 1,056 take-offs and landings. According to city officials, that's more than five times more than this airport has ever seen before.
As plane activity increases, so does the amount of gas farmers purchase from the airport.
In June of this year, Marshall Municipal Airport sold just over 2,000 gallons of gas.That number rose to over 15,000 gallons sold for the month of July.
With the economy how it is, farmers are seeing more incentive to crop dust.
"This year for every dollar you invest, your getting about three dollars back, so you're getting a three to one return on investment this year as opposed to last year to higher commodity prices," said Mark Petzoldt, Bartlett Grain Company.
And as farmers continue to make money, Dyer will keep flying.
"The price of commodities helps my jobs because I get more business on it. When the farmers make money, I make money, it's as simple as that," he said.
Spokesmen from the Missouri Department of Agriculture say the increase of crop dusting activity is not just limited to Marshall, but also the state of Missouri and throughout the Midwest.
Reported by: Brendan Marks
Published: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at 7:43 PM
Last Updated: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at 9:39 PM |
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