Brookfield will host a workshop on February 20 that aims to assist farmers in transitioning from conventional agricultural practices to regenerative practices, which are believed to be more profitable and to enhance soil health and water quality. The workshop, scheduled for February 20, is free of charge and will take place at the LaVon Burris […]
Category: Farm News
Learn to grow drought-tolerant forage at free workshops this February
Free workshops will be offered on establishing warm-season native grasses to produce drought-tolerant, high-quality forage. One workshop will take place at the Milan Community Center on February 27, and another at the Litton Ag Center in Chillicothe on February 28. Doors for the events will open at 9:30 a.m., with the meetings scheduled from 10 […]
Missouri Department of Agriculture announces updated animal exhibition requirements
The Missouri Department of Agriculture has announced changes to animal health requirements for beef and swine exhibitors at fairs and exhibitions in Missouri. Beef and swine exhibitors must provide a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), completed by an accredited veterinarian within 30 days of the show. The CVI should list the shows where the animal […]
Horizon II seeks 39,000 acres in northern Missouri, southern Iowa for prairie-to-energy initiative
In a groundbreaking initiative near Princeton, Missouri, the first 1,000 acres of the Horizon II pilot project are being transformed into native prairie. This innovative project opens new avenues for landowners to generate income while enhancing environmental sustainability. An additional 39,000 acres of highly erodible land across northern Missouri and southern Iowa are set to […]
Learn effective farmers market strategies in this five-part series
Producers selling local foods at farmers markets can learn more about marketing strategies, state regulations, value-added products, business planning, and boosting sales through fruit and vegetable incentive programs in a five-part online series presented Feb. 12-16 by the University of Missouri Extension. Participants will hear from farmers, extension faculty, representatives of the Missouri Department of […]
Hamilton resident honored with Missouri Dairy Leadership Award
A Hamilton resident was honored by the Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors on January 26. Sean Cornelius received a Dairy Leadership Award for his contributions to the dairy industry. As a third-generation dairyman, Cornelius currently milks 120 crossbred cattle on his 1,200-acre farm. He expressed his dedication to producing high-quality, home-grown forages for his dairy […]
Beef quality certification event set for Feb 13 in Trenton
The Missouri Beef Industry Council will host an in-person Beef Quality Assurance certification event at the North Central Missouri College Barton Farm Campus in Trenton. The event is scheduled for February 13 at 1 p.m. University of Missouri Extension Livestock Specialist Shawn Deering will assist with the event, which is open to everyone. Questions regarding […]
Farmers, ranchers can now make USDA farm loan payments online
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that most farm loan borrowers will be able to make payments to their direct loans online through the Pay My Loan feature on farmers.gov in early February. Pay My Loan is part of a broader effort by the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to streamline its processes, especially […]
February sessions for pesticide applicator certification announced
The University of Missouri Extension will host a series of private pesticide applicator trainings in the area next week and in February. These sessions are essential for agricultural producers who need to obtain or renew their certification to purchase or apply restricted-use pesticides. According to the Missouri Department of Agriculture, a private pesticide applicator license […]
Research leads to potential increases in Missouri soybean yield
According to Andre Reis, the state soybean specialist with the University of Missouri Extension, Missouri soybean yields have the potential to meet or surpass national averages. This optimism comes in the wake of data from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, which shows that national soybean yields have been increasing at a rate of 0.4 […]
Agricultural producers invited to join Continuous CRP program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) started to accept applications for the Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (Continuous CRP) signup on Jan. 12, 2024. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) encourages agricultural producers and landowners interested in conservation opportunities for their land in exchange for yearly rental payments to consider the enrollment options available through Continuous CRP, […]
Missouri Corn scholarships applications now available
The Missouri Corn Growers Association and Missouri Corn Merchandising Council are continuing the longstanding tradition of awarding seven deserving students $1,000 scholarships in 2024. Applications for the Missouri Corn Scholarship Program are now available for high school seniors and college juniors pursuing a degree in agronomy or related areas of agriculture. “As agriculture and technology […]
10 tips to bulletproof your beef operation
Missouri beef producers have a unique opportunity to fortify their farm businesses against industry risks and improve profitability. Joe Horner, an agricultural economist with the University of Missouri Extension, emphasizes the need for improvements in three key areas: plant management, animal care, and business operations. According to Horner, excelling in just one area is insufficient […]
Farming advocates seek end to factory farm subsidies
Congress recently approved a one-year extension of the existing Farm Bill. This decision extends the discussion over the formulation of a new bill well into 2024. During this extended period, advocacy groups plan to advocate for significant policy reforms. Key areas of focus include ending subsidies for factory farm manure management and implementing measures to […]
Audio: Farmers look ahead to 2024, hoping to put back-to-back dry years behind them
(Missourinet) – Some Missouri farmers thinking about the 2024 growing season are worried about the weather, but also about the volatility of the price they’ll receive and the spike in input costs, due to inflation. Past chair of the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, Kyle Durham, says back-to-back dry years have depleted much of the subsoil […]
Farm Credit System urged to reform lending policies
A new report calls for increased accountability in the Farm Credit System, which provides funding to farmers in underserved communities. The research examines the system, highlighting risks and proposing improvements for fairness and sustainability. Dr. Joshua Humphreys, report lead author and president of the Croatan Institute, notes that the Farm Credit System, responsible for approximately […]
Missouri farmers adopt practices that improve their land, support environment
(Missouri Independent) – On a small farm near Laddonia, Brian Willott waded through fields of dried corn stalks that had already been crushed into the ground. He had just finished harvesting his corn and soybeans and was preparing his empty fields to plant cover crops, which will hold his soil together and replenish its nutrients […]
USDA invests $196 million in food and agriculture supply chains
During the inaugural meeting of the White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience, President Biden and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack declared significant investments aimed at reinforcing American food and agriculture supply chains. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is set to bolster these sectors, widen markets for agricultural producers, and ultimately reduce food costs for […]
Survey shows increase in Missouri cropland and pastureland values from 2022 to 2023
Buyers paid more for Missouri farmland in 2023, according to the annual Missouri Farmland Values Opinion Survey from the University of Missouri Extension. More than 300 responses were collected from Missouri lenders, farmers, rural appraisers, and others familiar with Missouri land values in October 2023. Survey respondents gave estimates of land values for three classes […]
Soybean and rice export sales hit marketing year highs
(Brownfield Network – John Perkins) – U.S. soybean export sales surged to a marketing year high during the week ending November 9th. The USDA says soybean sales were nearly 4 million tons, led by strong demand from China as Beijing tries to shore up supplies in the face of planting delays and probable replanting in […]