The Small Business Administration on Tuesday opened up Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications on a limited basis specifically to agricultural businesses. The application is available at www.SBA.gov/Disaster. At this time, only agricultural business applications will be accepted due to limitations in funding availability and the unprecedented number of applications already received. Agricultural businesses include those […]
Category: Farm News
Now is the time for wheat producers to make a plan to control Fusarium Head Blight
Now is the time for wheat producers to make a plan to control Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) in their fields. FHB, or head scab, is a fungal disease that reduces yields and can impact the quality of the grain. In addition, the disease can produce mycotoxins, sometimes referred to as DON or vomitoxins, that are […]
As work at meat processing plants slows, hog producers may want to feed pigs cheaper diets and hold them longer
University of Missouri Extension swine nutritionist Marcia Shannon says producers can feed more fiber and less fat to slow growth. “This is a good time to move to feeding low-energy, high-fiber diets with an adjusted lysine-to-calorie ratio and remove any growth-promoting technologies,” Shannon says. Fiber, a poor source of energy, is cheap and fills pigs […]
Small farmers markets share strategies at April 30 roundtable
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As summer approaches, Missouri’s estimated 240 farmers’ markets are struggling with how they will comply with COVID-19-related restrictions. Regarded by many as vital and vibrant community hubs, farmer’s markets will need to rethink how to work with their vendors and still serve a public hungry for locally grown food. To help with […]
Free ‘how to’ webinar for those selling in farmers markets on accepting EBT/SNAP payments
Are you a farmers market or direct marketing farmer or rancher who wants to expand your potential customer base by accepting electronic benefit transfer/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (EBT/SNAP) and other electronic payments? The University of Missouri Extension is hosting an informational webinar about the MarketLink Free EBT SNAP Equipment Program at 11 a.m.-noon Tuesday, April […]
Grazing schools postponed due to COVID-19
The University of Missouri and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service will postpone their annual series of management-intensive grazing schools in 2020 due to safety concerns about COVID-19. Organizers will look at the situation in late May to consider options, said MU Extension forage specialist Craig Roberts. NRCS and MU Extension specialists hold more than […]
Farmers face unique safety risks during COVID-19
Farmers and ranchers face unique safety risks as COVID-19 continues to spread. The predicted peak of the COVID-19 outbreak likely will hit as spring planting season shifts into high gear, says Rusty Lee, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy. Physical distancing becomes difficult as farmers receive seed and chemical deliveries, Lee says. Shipments […]
Procedure changes for those needing to renew pesticide applicator license
Growers needing to recertify or certify for a private pesticide applicator license usually attend a training event or come to their local County Extension office to watch a DVD. Because of COVID-19, this procedure has changed. The Missouri Department of Agriculture and the University of Missouri policy is “until further notice, private applicators are no […]
USDA announces more than 3.4 million acres selected for general signup in Conservation Reserve Program
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the acceptance of more than 3.4 million acres in the general Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup recently completed, the first general signup enrollments since 2016. County offices will begin notifying producers with accepted offers no later than April 3. Through CRP, farmers and ranchers receive an annual rental payment for […]
Farmers wanting to apply for EQIP, CSP can apply from Home
The Missouri Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) would like to remind producers of the program sign-up deadlines to be considered for FY 2020 funding are as follows: Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) application deadline is March 30, 2020. Environmental Quality Incentive Program-Regional Conservation Partnership Program (EQIP-RCPP) application deadline is March 30, 2020. Conservation Stewardship Program-Classic […]
USDA to open signup March 16 for Conservation Reserve Program Grasslands
Farmers and ranchers may apply to enroll grasslands in the Conservation Reserve Program Grasslands signup beginning March 16. The signup runs through May 15. “Through this CRP Grasslands signup, farmers and ranchers can protect grasslands, rangelands, and pastures, while maintaining the land as working grazing lands,” said Kim Viers, Acting State Executive Director. “The program […]
Artificial insemination school to be held at Thompson Research Farm in Spickard
A cattle artificial insemination school will be held at the University of Missouri Thompson Research Farm in Spickard. The event will be held on the evenings of March 25th through 27th from 5 to 9 o’clock. Activities will include classroom and hands-on training of AI technique, semen handling, estrus synchronization, and heat detection. Those attending […]
Farmers can nominate schools for the America’s Farmers grant program
Less than a month remains to apply for America’s Farmers programs, sponsored by the Bayer Fund. Grow Rural Education is partnering with farmers across the country to help strengthen rural public school districts through $15,000 STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) grants. Since 2010, America’s Farmers have awarded more than $53 million for students and […]
Free grain marketing workshops to be held in Bethany and Chillicothe
Workshops will be held to help farmers manage commodity price risk and obtain higher commodity prices for corn and soybeans. One workshop will be held in the Community Room of the BTC Bank in Bethany Monday, and another will be in the Conference Room of FCS Financial in Chillicothe March 26th. Both workshops will run […]
Natural Resources Conservation Service announces March 30th application deadline for financial assistance
The Missouri USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced March 30th as the cut-off date to apply for Fiscal Year 2020 funds through the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program -Environmental Quality Incentive Program (RCPP-EQIP). EQIP allows farmers, ranchers, forestland managers, and landowners an opportunity to conserve natural resources by […]
Cattle and hog futures continue downward trend into the weekend
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, except for the nearby contract, live cattle futures continued to tumble on another round of follow-through selling, with additional pressure from the volatility in the broader markets, lack of support from this week’s cash business, and weakness in wholesale values. Feeder cattle futures were sharply lower on the same factors […]
Corn and wheat mixed on Friday, prices lower for the week
Soybeans were modestly lower on fund and technical selling, with relatively modest week to week losses thanks to a couple of days of gains. Commodities in general and the broader market continued to respond to concerns about coronavirus and its’ impact on demand and the global economy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost more than […]
USDA relaxes some hemp requirements
The USDA says it’s relaxing some hemp requirements under its interim final rule. Under its new guidance, USDA will delay enforcement of labs to be registered by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Also, hemp producers will not be required to use a DEA-registered “reverse distributor” or law enforcement to dispose of plants that are not compliant. USDA […]
Ronnie Russell of Richmond to lead Missouri Soybean Association
Ray County soybean farmer Ronnie Russell was elected as the new president of the Missouri Soybean Association during the annual meeting in Jefferson City. Following his installation at the Commodity Classic conference, Russell leads Missouri’s statewide advocacy organization for soybean growers. Ronnie Russell “I look forward to bringing farmers together to strengthen the Missouri soybean […]