New Small Business Administration Logo

Small Business Administration opens Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications

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 […]

Hogs

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 […]

Farmers Market

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 School Map

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 […]

Farm equipment cultivator

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 […]

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 […]

Farm and farmland news graphic

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 […]

Sunn Hemp Research

Department of Agriculture to hold training for those interested in becoming certified industrial hemp samplers

The Missouri Department of Agriculture will hold a training session for individuals interested in becoming certified industrial hemp samplers. Training will be held at the University of Missouri Forage Systems Research Center east of Linneus the afternoon of March 24th at 1 o’clock. Field Specialist in Agronomy Valerie Tate says certified industrial hemp samplers must […]

CRP Website Revised (Conservation Reserve Program website)

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 […]

Finance

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 […]

Tractor mowing hemp on hemp farm

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 […]

Missouri Soybean Association Website

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 […]