Business Notebook: Sudden death syndrome appears in soybean fields

Sudden death syndrome is showing up in soybean fields across the state. The disease is caused by the soil fungus Fusarium virguliforme, which first appear on upper leaves as scattered yellow blotches that increase in size, said University of Missouri Extension plant pathologist Laura Sweets. Yellow areas may turn brown, but veins remain green. As the disease advances, leaves turn brown and may curl up or fall off the plant.

SDS appears in fields with high soil moisture. This year, a wet, cool spring followed by the second-coolest July on record created conditions favorable for the disease in much of Missouri.

The disease sometimes appears as a circular or oval area of yellow or dying plants in fields. It may appear in irregular or wavy streaks that follow drainage patterns in the field.

Little can be done once plants are infected. Weather over the rest of the growing season influences the severity of loss.

Sweets encourages producers to note where the disease was found this year. Preventive management, including selecting resistant varieties, staggering planting dates, rotating crops and minimizing soil compaction, may help prevent the disease next growing season.

Producers with dying plants are encouraged to submit plants through their county extension center or to the MU Plant Diagnostic Clinic. For more information, call 882-3019.

Southeast Regional Port Authority meets today

The monthly Southeast Regional Port Authority meeting will take place at 1:30 p.m. today at the port office, 10 Bill Bess Drive in Scott City.

At its last meeting, the port authority discussed issues such as dredging the river, repairing the harbor and planning a visit by U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt on Aug. 13. The next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 13.

Big River Telephone changes its name

Big River Telephone has changed its name to Big River Communications.

The new name reflects the growth of Big River with its managed service solutions and cloud-based network offerings. Big River Communications provides terrestrial, wireless and mobile productivity tools and communication services to their customers. The delivery of technology solutions for both personal and business applications has distinguished Big River as a leader in the cloud-based managed service segment.

Career fair coming to Osage Centre in October

The Cape Area Career Fair is taking place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Osage Centre. Employees can register for a booth by contacting Mike Berry at the Missouri Career Center at mberry@mersgoodwill.org.

Workers' compensation rates should fall next year

Missouri employers should see lower workers' compensation rates in 2015. Preliminary figures collected by the Missouri Department of Insurance from the National Council on Compensation Insurance proposed an overall decrease of 3.7 percent from its 2014 loss costs. Insurers and self-insurers use loss costs to establish workers' compensation premiums for employers.

The NCCI's proposed change in loss costs by industry group is broken into: manufacturing (minus-4.4 percent), goods and services (minus-4.3 percent), contracting (minus-1.3 percent), (office and clerical (minus-7.2 percent) and miscellaneous (minus-2.2 percent.)

After a review of the loss costs by the department, it will recommend its own loss costs. Workers' compensation claims are regulated by the Division of Workers' Compensation in the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and rates are reviewed by the Department of Insurance.

Cape chief to be at anti-violence institute

Cape Girardeau police chief Wes Blair was chosen as one of several law enforcement executives from across the state to participate in the National Law Enforcement Leadership Institute on Violence Against Women hosted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

This four-day institute will take place in Kansas City. Missouri, and the IACP intends to raise the response to violence against women. They will explore innovative approaches for investigating crimes of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and stalking. additional attention will center on assessing agency performance and sharing challenges and solutions with law enforcement colleagues.

Agriculture department offers grants

The Missouri Department of Agriculture announced the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority is accepting applications for farm to school value-added grants. These grants will assist Missouri businesses in accessing and processing locally grown agricultural products for use in Missouri schools.

The new program was authorized by Senate Bill 672 and Senate Bill 701, signed by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon in July, and provides businesses the opportunity to place locally grown agricultural products in Missouri school meals and snacks while strengthening local farming economies.

Eligible applicants must be a small business that buys or processes locally grown agricultural products from a small farmer and whose primary market is schools in Missouri. Small businesses that are producers of agricultural products themselves also are eligible. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis. Applications will be scored based on their economic development potential, credibility merit and the source and level of matching funds.

The maximum individual grant is $200,000. Applicants are required to provide a 10 percent cash match toward the resource being funded. Eligible resources may include, but are not limited to, items such as coolers, freezers, washing, bagging, sorting and/or packing equipment and professional services for the development of good agricultural practices/good handling practices and hazard analysis and critical control analysis plans.

For more information on the program and guidelines, visit agriculture.mo.gov.

Saint Francis seeks hospice volunteers

Saint Francis Medical Center has begun seeking volunteers for its new Hospice Services Program. Volunteers in Southeast Missouri are needed to help assist patients in their homes. Saint Francis Hospice will be offered in Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Perry and Stoddard counties.

Hospice care is appropriate for any patient who is terminally ill or whose health is rapidly declining. It offers a full continuum of medical care -- available 24 hours a day -- that allows patients to be comfortable in familiar surroundings, whether its in their home, at a nursing home or in an assisted-living facility.

When curative treatment is no longer an option, the Hospice Services Program works closely with Saint Francis' Palliative Care Program to provide transitional care. Patients in declining health because of chronic heart failure, cancer, AIDS, renal failure, Alzheimer's disease or other issues may be referred to the Hospice Services Program by their physician, a family member or other caregiver.

Some typical responsibilities of a hospice volunteer will include sitting with patients, initiating conversation, playing games and watching television with the patient, reading to the patient, writing letters for the patients, running small errands, or providing assistance with personal care.

Requirements for volunteers include the ability to perform some physical activities, such as frequently standing or walking with patients and occasionally lifting up to 10 pounds. Volunteers may also be required to supply written and computer documentation of the patients.

To become a hospice volunteer, call Saint Francis Volunteer Services at 331-5166 or email volunteer@sfmc.net.

Business roundup

* A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place for AT&T on Walton Drive in front of the Jackson Wal-Mart at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

* A ribbon-cutting for Nearly Perfect CrossFit at 414 E. Main St. in Jackson will take place at 4:45 p.m. today.

* A business breakfast sponsored by United Land Title LLC at 1210 Greenway in Jackson will take place at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 19.

* Leadership Jackson is scheduled from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Sept. 17 at Kimbeland Country Club.

HealthPoint Fitness, Home Health rank as best in county

Southeast HealthPoint Fitness and Southeast Home Health were ranked as the best in Cape County in the Southeast Missourian's People's Choice Awards for 2014.

This marks the sixth year in a row and the seventh time in eight years HealthPoint has earned top marks for its fitness centers.

HealthPoint has centers in Cape Girardeau and Jackson and offers its members a friendly, family atmosphere designed to help members lead a healthy lifestyle.

This is the third time in the last four years Southeast Home Health has been recognized in the People's Choice competition as the best in its category.