Warm temperatures were welcomed in Northwest Missouri this past week, leading to fieldwork progressing rapidly. Summer annual weed emergence picked up, so now is a good time to consider the importance of a residual herbicide in a soybean weed control program. Weeds have uneven emergence, a trait we wouldn’t want in our crops, but that […]
Missouri farmers can submit two free tests to beat the soybean cyst nematode (SCN) by contacting their county University of Missouri Extension center or the SCN Diagnostics laboratory. Testing soil before planting soybean is vital, says MU Extension plant pathologist Kaitlyn Bissonnette. SCN is the No. 1 soybean disease in the U.S. and Canada, with […]
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA will open enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program with higher payment rates, new incentives, and a more targeted focus on the program’s role in climate change mitigation. Additionally, USDA is announcing investments in partnerships to increase climate-smart agriculture, including $330 million in 85 Regional Conservation Partnership Program […]
In recognition of the Missouri Bicentennial, University of Missouri Extension will extend this year’s Century Farm application deadline to June 1. “With our partners the Missouri Farm Bureau and the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, we want to be sure every eligible farm family has an opportunity to apply in this special […]
To celebrate Buy Missouri Day, the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Missouri Grown program announced funding for 14 retail businesses that carry Missouri Grown products. The Missouri Grown Retail Promotion Matching Grant awards up to $1,000 per retail store for reimbursement of expenses associated with promoting Missouri Grown member products. “Our Missouri Grown members have told […]
The University of Missouri Extension will host a free Annie’s Project course for Northwest Missouri women who would like to become better business partners in their agriculture enterprise. The 18-hour discussion-based workshop will be held June 1st through 15th. The course will consist of three in-person sessions, two Zoom sessions, and one in-person farm tour. […]
The Missouri Governor’s Conference on Agriculture is coming back to Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, Mo., this fall for its 49th celebration of agriculture. The Missouri Department of Agriculture announced the conference dates have been set for Nov. 18-19, 2021. “As Governor and a farmer, I’m excited to see this conference back on the calendar,” […]
Cows need to conceive and calve early to earn their keep. University of Missouri Extension beef cow-calf specialist Jordan Thomas says managing for a short or even an “ultra-short” calving season should determine which cows get to stay on the farm. Late-conceiving cows should go to market. Thomas and MU Extension beef nutrition specialist Eric […]
If not managed properly, muddy pastures can affect grazing the rest of the year, says University of Missouri Extension regional livestock specialist Patrick Davis. “Cattle producers need to evaluate their pastures,” Davis says. Identify pastures that are thin and in need of renovation and consider using those as sacrifice pastures. Davis recommends consulting an MU […]
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency announces the availability of $2 million to establish partnerships with organizations to provide outreach and technical assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The funding was made possible by USDA’s new Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, an effort to distribute resources more broadly and to put greater […]
University of Missouri Extension will offer a free program on Growing Home Garden Tomatoes 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 14, via Zoom. MU Extension horticulture specialist Jennifer Schutter will talk about tomato genealogy, tomato varieties, planting, harvesting, physiological disorders, and diseases and insects. MU Extension agronomy specialist Dhruba Dhakal discusses soil sampling and testing, soil preparation, […]
Large government payments helped 2020 Missouri net farm income match or exceed the 2014 record of $3.4 billion, according to Abigail Meffert, senior research associate with the University of Missouri Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI). Missouri’s outlook falls in line with the U.S. Agricultural Market Outlook, a summary of 10-year baseline projections presented […]
The Missouri Department of Agriculture announced 30 high school sophomores were selected to participate in the 2021 Missouri Agribusiness Academy. Students selected will spend several days in June in the Mid-Missouri region exploring careers in agriculture, building leadership skills, and learning more about farming, ranching, and food production. “Giving back to agriculture is important and […]
The University of Missouri Extension in Howard County, in partnership with Select Sires, will host a beef cattle artificial insemination school April 9-10. The school will be at the MU Beef Research and Teaching Farm, 5151 Old Millers Road, Columbia. The registration deadline is April 2. The school introduces participants to the art and science […]
Farmers needing their Pesticide Applicators license to apply pesticides this growing season still have the opportunity to receive their certification. Online zoom training is still being offered, with Andy Luke hosting an online training session on April 6, from 6-8 pm. Additional training opportunities will be available for farmers unable to attend this meeting. Online […]
Governor Mike Parson has proclaimed March 21-27, 2021, to be National Agriculture Week in Missouri. As today also marks National Agriculture Day across the nation, Governor Parson joins the Missouri Department of Agriculture in celebrating the state’s top position nationally in agriculture production. “Missouri is ranked among the top tier of states in agriculture production, […]
The Missouri Department of Agriculture is now accepting nominations for the Missouri Agriculture Awards. The Missouri Agriculture Awards will honor five individuals that strive to innovate their farm or ranch, give back to their communities, or stand as a great example for future generations. Award categories include Missouri Farm Innovation, Missouri Agriculture Education Leader, Missouri […]
Advocates for family farms, rural neighborhoods, and the environment are asking Iowa lawmakers to find a more equitable balance between the interests of factory farms and of the communities they’re in. Research has shown higher levels of nitrates and phosphorus in the water, as well as air quality issues, in communities with nearby concentrated animal feeding […]
A reset of the Renewable Fuels Standard will take place in 2022 as part of the original law. Gary Marshall, the former CEO of the Missouri Corn Growers, tells Brownfield the EPA Administrator will have to assess the RFS program. “The RFS (will) all of a sudden has to be under the guidelines of the […]
As grain prices hit new levels, farmers are considering potential profit in preparing for the 2021 growing season. However, protection is always going to be important. Crop insurance decisions will be critical this year. Gary Schnitkey, University of Illinois agricultural economics professor, said 93% of Illinois farmers took some form of Revenue Protection (RP) insurance […]
