Latest news with #ChrisChinn
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Officials launch investigation into false claims of New World screwworm in Missouri
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — An investigation is underway after rumors began swirling about a New World screwworm in Missouri, according to the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA). The Missouri State Highway Patrol's Rural Crimes Investigative Unit (RCIU) and the Livestock and Farm Protection Task Force said they are aware of a false statement made last week regarding New World screwworm in the state. Woman says former firefighter sexually abused her, fears he will avoid punishment According to the USDA, New World screwworm is a devastating pest that can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds – and in rare cases, people; when New World screwworm fly larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of a living animal, they cause serious, often deadly damage to the animal. The two groups, along with Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, are currently investigating this matter, according to the MDA. According to the MDA, this investigation is the result of a request on May 28 from Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey and MDA Director Chris Chinn to discover the culprit and determine if this was an act with malicious intent to cause panic in agricultural markets. On May 27, the MDA said a false press release was sent to a northwest Missouri radio station. The information was quickly discovered to be false—but not before setting off a frenzy of animal health concerns, market scare and detriment to consumer trust, according to the MDA. This case is considered an open and active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control at 573-526-6122. RCIU focuses solely on the investigation of crimes unique to the agricultural industry and farming communities within the state of Missouri. Formed in 2009, RCIU was designed after successful undercover efforts that served to address increasing incidents of specific agriculture-related crimes. For more information about the RCIU, click here. For more information about the MDA and its programs, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Times
23-04-2025
- Climate
- Times
Bumper crop of asparagus and rhubarb after record March sunshine
The sunniest March on record has contributed to a bumper early harvest of British asparagus and rhubarb — and sales data shows that consumers are taking full advantage. Met office figures show that England enjoyed more sunshine this March than any year since records began in 1910, many individual counties topping their sunshine duration records. Farmers said the prolonged unusually warm weather created the perfect growing conditions for both crops and was a welcome boost after the wettest 18 months on record. The British asparagus season typically starts in late April and many use as the starting gun St George's Day — traditionally on April 23 but this year falling next Monday due to the late Easter. But the unexpected warmer weather has brought this forward. The season ordinarily lasts only for about eight weeks and retailers are reporting that shoppers have been quick to take advantage of plentiful early supplies. Data from Ocado, the online supermarket, shows British rhubarb sales up 88 per cent year on year and sales of asparagus up 12 per cent month on month. Online recipe searches for rhubarb crumble were four times higher last week than a month earlier, according to Google Trends. The Vale of Evesham in Worcestershire is the most renowned asparagus-growing area in England. Met Office data shows the county received 160 per cent of the average number of sunshine hours in March. Cambridgeshire, also known for its asparagus crop, received 170 per cent of its usual hours. West Yorkshire's 'rhubarb triangle' — a small area between Wakefield, Morley and Rothwell — is the most famous region for rhubarb cultivation, particularly for the production of Yorkshire forced rhubarb. This type of rhubarb is grown in the dark to produce tender, sweet and vividly pink stalks, quite different from the tougher, greener outdoor varieties. While greater sunshine does not directly benefit forced rhubarb, the crop benefits from warmer temperatures, which encourage vigorous leaf and stalk growth, improving overall yields. The Met Office said West Yorkshire received 160 per cent of its normal sunshine in March. Martha Springham, trading manager at Ocado, said: 'The long winter provided a tough backdrop for British farmers but their produce is among the best in the world and it's fantastic to see shoppers supporting them now that the sunshine is here.' Chris Chinn, a partner at Cobrey Farms in south Herefordshire, which grows Wye Valley-branded asparagus, blueberries and rhubarb, said: 'Being able to show off the best of British is still as exciting as ever. We hope to continue the early momentum for the rest of the season with sunny weather. 'British produce quality remains very high and seeing positive reviews and a growing customer base makes all the effort of the whole team worthwhile.' The fast start to the asparagus season should help the country boost production this year. Last year 4,400 tonnes of the crop were sold, a fall of 7 per cent on the previous year. At present, 125g of Wye Valley asparagus tips costs £3, as does 400g of pink forced rhubarb.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State agriculture director visits St. Joseph
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Chris Chinn visited St. Joseph on Wednesday to attend the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce's agri-business meeting. Chinn discussed her experience in the agriculture business, as well as updating attendees on the Missouri Department of Agriculture and its recent trade show in Taiwan. Chinn has been the director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture since 2017, serving under three different governors. She said that she enjoys visiting St. Joseph and appreciates what the city offers in terms of agriculture. "St. Joe really is one of the state's best hidden gems," Chinn said. "A lot of people don't realize how many agriculture companies are based right here in St. Joe and they help us when it comes to export markets, when it comes to feeding Missourians. And so this is a great opportunity to come up and highlight these businesses and just thank them for being a part of the Missouri agriculture community." The meeting, which was not open to the public, took place at BioZyme. The company's president and CEO, Lisa Norton, said she was happy to have Chinn speak on Wednesday morning. "We're really excited to have someone in that position that finds St. Joseph of importance and to come meet all of us and carry our message forward," Norton said.
