WEATHER MAY BRING BUMPER CROPS, BUGS

For crops ready to be planted, the mild weather is a hopeful portent of another impressive growing season.

But the potential for another bumper crop -- this one of insects that survived the frostless winter -- could mean a summer of backyard barbecues interrupted by the buzz of flies and mosquitos.

The mild winter could help budding corn, said University of Missouri Extension agronomist Gerald Bryant, but the same weather "could increase the insect pressure on the crops."

Bryant said a period of prolonged cold would have to settle in the area and last longer than a day or two to damage crops. The ground is too warm now to freeze very deep without a long cold period, he said.

Dr. Alan Journet, a professor of biology at Southeast Missouri State University, said a winter without a killing frost "could translate into larger insect populations" during the summer.

Journet said other factors, such as abatement programs during the summer, also could reduce the insect numbers.

Terry Burke, county director for the U.S. Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service, said if the weather remains much like it has the past several weeks, it "would be ideal" for crops.

He said the general feeling among farmers it is a little too late in the season to threaten a heavy frost.

A wet, cool spring could hurt crops, said Burke.

Byrant said some rain is welcomed, since "we are a little bit on the dry side."

Burke said the temperate weather is both helpful and harmful.

"The better weather we have early in the season," he said, ~"the more vulnerable the crops become."