Magazine Issue: Summer 2019

Momentum Magazine >> Summer 2019

Articles

Five women stand outside on a grassy area with trees in the background. They are dressed in casual, colorful attire and are smiling at the camera.

Fixed Assets Team Manages Tank Leases and More

Maintaining the vast number of assets of a company like MFA Oil is a multifaceted operation. From computers and office buildings to fuel trucks and tanks, the list of assets is extensive. Managing all of these resources requires a dedicated team to keep track of the assortment of company-owned property. […]

Two shipping containers collide in mid-air, one painted with the United States flag and the other with the Chinese flag. The collision causes debris to scatter against a dramatic sunset sky.

Planning for Upcoming Energy Needs

As summer begins to wind down, there are a number of things I am closely watching that could sway the direction of the fuel and propane market. I would advise you to consider these factors in preparation for your energy needs for the fall and winter. Deal or No Deal? […]

A man in a blue plaid shirt stands smiling beside a green tractor under a clear blue sky.

All-in on Agriculture

Whether it’s running his 500-acre farm outside Alma, Mo., conducting business as a seedsman or volunteering his time in the service of various farmer-led organizations, agriculture is an ever-present aspect of David Lueck’s life. In late June, the Lafayette County farmer and MFA Oil delegate was busy cutting hay for […]

A large green combine harvester engulfed in flames and thick black smoke in an open field at sunset. The ground is charred, and the sky is a pale orange, hinting at the end of the day.

Maintenance Crucial to Preventing Combine Fires

Farmers should regularly inspect their combines’ machinery, fuel lines and electrical systems prior to and during harvest season to prevent fires. Harvest season brings a unique combination of risk factors that increases the risk of combine fires, says Bill Field, professor of agricultural and biological engineering at Purdue University. Dust […]

Aerial view of a green tractor pulling two trailers filled with watermelons through a lush field. Several workers stand nearby, tending to the harvest. The field is divided by a dirt path, surrounded by rows of watermelon plants.

Melon Milestone

Beggs Family Celebrates 125 Seasons of Raising Watermelons Whether seeded or seedless, weighing 3 pounds or 30, few foods are as synonymous with summer as the venerable watermelon. The sweet, juicy, melt-in-your-mouth fruit is the ultimate accompaniment to hot dogs, hamburgers and corn on the cob at family picnics and […]

A group of adults and one child stand indoors in front of a colorful indoor playground, holding a large check for $2,000 made out to the Kenny Rogers Childrens Center. Everyone is smiling, and the date on the check is 12/13/19.

Caring for Kids with Special Needs

The Kenny Rogers Children’s Center in Sikeston, Mo., which provides a wide array of developmental and therapeutic services to children with special needs, has a new tool to design and create intricate prosthetics. In December 2018, the MFA Oil Foundation presented a $2,000 grant to the center to aid in […]

Introducing Work Horse™ Lubricants

Since its founding in 1929, MFA Oil has always taken pride in providing a reliable supply of quality petroleum products to meet its members’ needs. The company has sold a variety of premium fuels and oils in its 90-year history, and that legacy will continue with a new line of […]

Sharing Ag Experiences

For Gary Morris, the rewards of being an agricultural educator are all about the connections he forges with his students. Whether it is discussing how to balance a feed ration in an animal science class, working together to grow plants in the greenhouse, or training FFA members for competition, the […]

A parade of green tractors drives down a street lined with spectators. A man on the lead tractor waves while using a large yellow umbrella for shade. A young girl in a pink shirt watches from the sidewalk, holding a small flag. Trees are in the background.

Fair Season

County and state fairs, the ephemeral experiences that bring scores of people together for parades, livestock shows, carnivals, pageants and more, are a highlight of the summer for many rural residents. The draw of blue-ribbon competitions, Tilt-a-Whirl rides, funnel cakes and rodeos entices fairgoers out for fun and camaraderie despite […]

A farmer wearing a wide-brimmed hat and plaid shirt stands in a lush green field, surrounded by a herd of brown cows. He is smiling with arms crossed, exuding a sense of contentment and pride in his pastoral setting.

The Grazing Guru

Raising Grass-Fed Beef on Perennial Pastures Rip, rip, rip. The sound fills the summer morning air as red cattle indulgently chomp through a lush pasture on rolling verdant hills ringed with timber. Moving nonchalantly through the herd, rancher Greg Judy sports a broad grin. “That’s music to a grazier’s ear,” […]

Young green plants sprouting from soil in the foreground, with a bright sunrise or sunset in the background. The sky is clear with a smooth gradient from blue to yellow near the horizon.

Best Management Practices for Soybean Planted as Cover Crops

Cover crops have many benefits including protecting soil surfaces from wind and water erosion, weed suppression, and improving soil health. This year many Missouri acres intended to be planted to corn and soybean were either flooded or too wet to be planted in a timely manner. Leaving these fields fallow […]

A close-up of a blacksmiths hand holding a hammer striking a hot, glowing piece of metal on an anvil, with sparks flying. The image captures the intense heat and energy of the metalworking process.

Timeless Tools

At 47 years old, Will Dobkins still remembers an age when things were built to last. Whether it was a television set, a vacuum or some other household convenience, there was an expectation that products would stand the test of time and regular use. And, should something go awry, there […]