Screenshot of USDA or United States Department of Agriculture website

USDA previews crop and revenue loss assistance for agricultural producers

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced plans for additional emergency relief and pandemic assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA is preparing to roll out the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase Two as well as the new Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (PARP), which are two programs to help offset crop and revenue losses for producers.  USDA is […]

Landscape of United States farmland (Photo via Envato Elements)

Citing concerns about China, states mull limits on foreign ownership of farmland

(Missouri Independent) – Amid growing concern about Chinese investment in U.S. agriculture, there has been a renewed push to limit and more closely monitor foreign ownership of farmland across the country. At least eight states considered implementing a new limit on foreign control of agricultural land, and one, Indiana, passed a new law limiting new […]

Natural Resource Conservation Service (NCRS) website

NRCS announces funding opportunities for farmers and landowners under seven regional partnership projects

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Missouri invites qualifying farmers and landowners to apply to receive technical and financial assistance through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program. Funding is available for seven regional partnership projects. Applications must be received by January 13, 2023, to be considered for this round of funding. The RCPP projects and associated […]

USDA Loan Assistance Tool website

USDA launches loan assistance tool to assist farmers and ranchers in navigating the farm loan application process

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched a new online tool to help farmers and ranchers better navigate the farm loan application process. This uniform application process will help to ensure all farm loan applicants receive equal support and have a consistent customer experience with USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) regardless of their individual circumstances.   […]

Feeding cattle (cows, livestock)

Calculating winter feed costs for beef cows

Escalating costs for hay and supplements have many cattle producers concerned, especially in the face of very poor pasture conditions and limited hay supplies in some areas of the state. Current feed costs have been run through the University of Missouri Extension Beef Cow Feed Cost Dashboard spreadsheet to estimate daily feed costs for a […]

Missouri Livestock Symposium Website 2022

Livestock Symposium beef program focuses on capturing profitability and navigating challenging times

Beef producers will learn what opportunities and challenges are ahead at the 23rd annual Missouri Livestock Symposium on December 2 & 3 in Kirksville, MO, says Garry L. Mathes, committee chairman.  Zac Erwin, University of Missouri Extension Livestock Specialist and Symposium vice-chair says, “The beef speaker line-up this year is a great opportunity to hear […]

Drought Graphic

Severe drought triggers assistance in nearly all of Kansas, half of Missouri

(Missouri Independent) – Almost all of Kansas and nearly half of Missouri are in severe enough drought to activate a federal program meant to help ranchers who have lost grazing acres for their herds, triggering millions of dollars in assistance. Eighty-five of Kansas’ 105 counties have been eligible for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s livestock forage program, which […]

Farm Scene news graphic

Tight labor market challenges farm employers to rethink compensation

Today’s tight labor market makes it harder for farm employers to compete for workers, says Ryan Milhollin, University of Missouri Extension agricultural economist. Farm laborers work long hours, sometimes in inclement weather. Workers may need diverse skills to fill roles such as truck driver, mechanic, nutritionist, forage specialist, veterinarian, babysitter, and weather forecaster. For this […]

Chickens or poultry in a farm yard

University of Missouri Extension and Lincoln University Extension to hold a backyard laying hen workshop

University of Missouri Extension and Lincoln University Extension will hold a backyard laying hen workshop in Brunswick. The session will be at the Saint Boniface Catholic Church on October 29th from 1 to 4 pm. Participants will learn about basic management practices to ensure a healthy backyard flock, biosecurity, licensing and labeling requirements, and processing, […]

Diana Rodgers, RD, nutritionist, and sustainability advocate to be keynote speaker at livestock symposium

Missouri Livestock Symposium announces Keynote speaker

Diana Rodgers, RD, nutritionist, and sustainability advocate will be the keynote speaker, Friday evening December 2nd at the 23rd annual Missouri Livestock Symposium in Kirksville, MO, says Garry L. Mathes, chairman. Diana Rodgers is a “real food” nutritionist and sustainability advocate near Boston, Massachusetts. She speaks internationally about the intersection of optimal human nutrition, regenerative […]