The last two weeks in the Carolinas have been challenging to say the least.  The winter’s excessive rains turned frozen, and North and South Carolina have had three major snow and ice events in the last two weeks,” reports Rhonda Garrison (Southern Farm Network, Raleigh, NC).  “Winter wheat was already struggling under the season’s excessive moisture, and cool temperatures are postponing the crop breaking dormancy.”  She adds, “Many crops have a pink tinge due to micronutrient deficiency. The nutrients are there, but the plants aren’t able to absorb them due to the saturated soils.”  

Mike Dain (First Oklahoma Ag/Voice of Southwest Agriculture/Yancey Ag Network, Oklahoma City, OK) reports busy times in January and February on the Southern Plains. Events he’s covered include: “Sorghum U” (Perryton, TX), Agrifest Farm Show (Enid, OK), Red River Crop Conference (which alternates between Altus, OK, and Childress, TX), Canola College (Enid, OK), Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts Oklahoma City, OK), and Oklahoma Pork Congress (Norman, OK). 

Sarah Anne Heinrich began work February 23 as new Farm and Ranch Director at KFGO (Fargo-Moorhead, ND).  “I can’t tell you how excited I am that Sarah has decided to accept this position,” said Joel Heitkamp, KFGO Director of Operations, when making the announcement. “Since KFGO first signed on in 1948, farm and agri-business reporting has been a huge priority for us.  Farmers and others in agriculture trust us to bring them this vital information daily. That’s why we take it very seriously.” For the past seven years, Sarah served as News Farm Broadcaster and Noon Show Anchor at KXMB-TV in Bismarck, ND. 

2015 is starting out very interesting, reports Tony Purcell (Texas State Networks, Dallas, TX). “First, we have a new Texas Commissioner of Agriculture. Sid Miller is a working farmer and professional roper.”

A blog from National Western Stock Show (NWSS) describes Brian Allmer’s (Brian Allmer Radio Network, Briggsdale, CO) work as the voice of Stadium Arena Cattle Shows. For the third year, Brian was the "official announcer" for all cattle shows in the stadium arena during the 2015 NWSS in Denver, January 10-25. The 16-day show serves as an entertainment arena, hosting one of the world’s richest regular season, professional rodeos, the “super bowl” of livestock shows, nationally recognized horse shows and Colorado’s largest Western Trade Show.