The Missouri Department of Agriculture announced funding for the processing of industrial hemp fiber. The Department will award grants of up to $200,000 for reimbursement of expenses associated with the expansion of processing capacity for industrial hemp fiber in Missouri. The Missouri General Assembly appropriated $700,000 to help build Missouri’s industrial hemp fiber processing infrastructure. […]
With the start of a new fiscal year, the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council (MCMC) and the Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA) announced a new slate of officers, the appointment of recently elected board members, and national committee assignments. The election of the 2021-22 MCMC officer team took place during an August board meeting held in […]
As part of the Administration’s efforts to address food systems challenges arising from the pandemic as well as those going back decades, United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA plans for another $100 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. The funding would leverage hundreds of millions more in […]
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is announcing a higher loan limit will be available for borrowers seeking a guaranteed farm loan starting Oct. 1, 2021, from $1.776 million to $1.825 million. “Farm loans are critical for our customers’ annual operating and family living expenses, emergency needs, and cash flow,” FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux said. “Raising […]
The Pearls of Production: Women in Agriculture program focuses on leadership and hands-on training for women in livestock production in Missouri. This year’s event, coordinated by the University of Missouri Extension, is Nov. 5-6 in Callaway County and on the MU campus. On Nov. 5, attendees will have a rare opportunity to visit a farrow-to-finish […]
Farmers tend to put their families and farm before themselves, but neither can operate unless farmers take care of themselves physically and mentally, says Karen Funkenbusch, University of Missouri Extension health and safety specialist. During National Farm Safety and Health Week, Sept. 19-25, Funkenbusch reminds farm and ranch families that MU Extension free offers resources […]
(Missouri Independent) – Agricultural groups and farm-state lawmakers notched a significant win when U.S. House Democrats chose not to touch a big tax break for inherited property, avoiding, for now, a confrontation. But opponents remain wary that the idea could come back at any time as Democrats shape their massive $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package, and […]
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing additional time for livestock and poultry producers to apply for the Pandemic Livestock Indemnity Program. Producers who suffered losses during the pandemic due to insufficient access to processing may now apply for assistance for those losses and the cost of depopulation and disposal of the animals through Oct. […]
Dr. Frank Mitloehner, University of California-Davis professor and air quality extension specialist will be the keynote speaker on Friday evening December 3rd at the 22nd annual Missouri Livestock Symposium, says Garry L. Mathes, chairman. The Missouri Livestock Symposium returns to an in-person event on December 3 and 4, 2021 at the William Matthew Middle School […]
Grundy County Farm Bureau members heard Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins addressed multiple topics at the county organization’s annual meeting in Trenton on September 9, 2021. One of the topics was climate change. Hawkins said he is tired of people “pointing fingers” at farmers and ranchers and saying they are the problem. […]
Southeast Missouri Congressman Jason Smith says every agribusiness in the state is dealing with worker shortages. Smith, a Republican from Salem, says the biggest problem with the worker shortage is the government is paying more people to stay home than it is for them to get a job. Federal pandemic unemployment insurance ended […]
The Missouri Department of Agriculture announced funding for the Urban Agriculture Matching Grant Program. The Department will award grants of up to $10,000 for reimbursement of expenses associated with urban agriculture. Eligible projects include urban agricultural projects, which may include introducing a new crop or product to an area, expanding the use of an agricultural […]
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is updating the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) for contract producers of eligible livestock and poultry and producers of specialty crops and other sales-based commodities. CFAP 2, which assists producers who faced market disruptions in 2020 due to COVID-19, is part of USDA’s broader Pandemic Assistance for Producers […]
Infestations of fall armyworms have shown up recently in area pastures and hayfields. Be sure to scout your fields in the coming weeks, as a second generation is likely to appear in September. Fall armyworms are a periodic pest in Missouri that feed on over 100 plant species but prefer lush, green pastures and fields, […]
Entries will be accepted through Oct. 10 for the next Missouri Steer Feedout, with weigh-in on November 2, says University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Eldon Cole. An entry consists of five or more head of steers born after January 1, 2021. At delivery, they should be weaned at least 45 days, weigh over 500 […]
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has accepted 2.8 million acres in offers from agricultural producers and private landowners for enrollment into the Conservation Reserve Program in 2021. This year, almost 1.9 million acres in offers have been accepted through the General CRP Signup, and USDA’s Farm Service Agency has accepted over 897,000 acres for enrollment […]
Organic producers and handlers can now apply for U.S. Department of Agriculture funds to assist with the cost of receiving or maintaining organic certification. Applications for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) are due Nov. 1, 2021. “USDA is here to help all producers, including those who grow our nation’s organic food and fiber. Many farmers have told […]
(Brownfield Network) – Fertilizer prices are expected to approach record high levels in 2022, bringing costs to the farmer up with them. Farm Management Specialist Gary Schnitkey with the University of Illinois tells Brownfield the price of major fertilizers in Illinois increased at least 50% in 2021, which will translate to higher fertilizer costs in […]
(Brownfield Network) – A bipartisan group of Senators, led by Mike Rounds of South Dakota, has introduced a bill designed to restrict the use of the ‘Product of the USA’ label. Senator Rounds tells Brownfield the USA Beef Act would only allow products that are born, raised, and slaughtered in the US to bear that label. “Beef that […]
Enrollment is open for the Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program. The deadline to sign up is Sept. 1. These heifers will be bred in the fall of 2021 and sold in spring 2022 sales, says University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Kendra Graham. There is a $25.00 per farm membership fee, $2.00 per head enrollment fee, […]
