Corn and soybean crops planted on “prevented acres” not planted last spring may provide corn and soybean forage for cattle this fall. With a wet spring, many farmers failed to make quality hay for cow herds. Now, cover crops needed on bare crop ground may produce quality forage. Earlier regulations on unplanted cropland restricted using […]
Tall fescue, Missouri’s most used pasture grass, provides fall and winter grazing with proper management. With growing concern about the lack of stored forage, grazing offers potential feed this year. Fescue grows in two distinct seasons, spring and fall. Fall growth isn’t as robust as in spring. With good management, fescue gives grazing well […]
Fair season and heat put three key groups at risk of heatstroke: livestock, their owners and spectators. Timing and flexibility are critical when transporting animals to and from the fair, says Daniel Mallory, University of Missouri livestock field specialist. Take animals to the fair early in the morning when temperatures are cooler so animals remain […]
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced up to $16 million in available funding to help socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers own and operate successful farms. Funding is made through the USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (also known as the 2501 Program). […]
The United States Department of Agriculture and Missouri state partner agencies will hold public meetings to discuss flood recovery assistance available for agricultural producers. One of the meetings will be held at the Goppert Community Building at 201 South Pine Street in Norborne the morning of August 13th from 9 o’clock to 11:45. The USDA […]
The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and Missouri state partner agencies are holding four public meetings, July 23, 24, 25 and August 13th to discuss flood recovery assistance available for agricultural producers. The meetings will take place: Tuesday, July 23, 1:30-4:15 p.m. at the URSA Farmers Coop, 307 Elm Street, Canton. Wednesday, July 24, 9:00-11:45 a.m. […]
A Management Intensive Grazing (MIG) School is scheduled for August 22-23, 2019 at the Greenley Research Center, Novelty, MO. The two-day school will provide opportunities for in-depth discussions and field exercises covering both agronomic and livestock topics related to grazing and livestock production on pastures. Topics include pasture species selection and management, fencing and watering […]
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the deadline to file crop acreage reports for agricultural producers in Missouri impacted by flooding and heavy moisture. The new July 22 deadline applies to reporting spring-seeded crops to USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) county offices and federal crop insurance agents. “Agriculture operations throughout the state have […]
As summer temperatures rise, dairy animals benefit from heat abatement, says Joe Zulovich, a University of Missouri Extension specialist in livestock housing systems. Lactating cows face the most risk from heat, says Zulovich. Dry cows and pre-weaned calves also fare better with heat abatement systems in place. Heat abatement systems are economically beneficial for dairy […]
Twenty-five years ago, Brian Pemberton bought acreage filled with thorn trees, scrub brush and multiflora roses. The only water source was a frog pond. The land needed four things: a road, buildings, fences, and water. Thanks to hard work and cost-share programs, those goals were met. Grazing Acres Farm is now complete with a solid […]
The Environmental Protection Agency released the proposed Renewable Volume Obligation rule for 2020. Once again EPA has failed to account for lost volumes due to refinery exemptions and uphold the President’s commitment to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “We are frustrated the EPA did not account for potential waived gallons going forward in the proposed […]
GUANGZHOU, CHINA – After decades chasing the enormous China market, a sale of U.S. rice was confirmed here last week. “This sale marks a turning point for the U.S. rice industry and its relationship with China as it is the first ever of U.S. rice to a private importer and is truly historic as it […]
Rain and flooding prevented many Missouri farmers from planting corn and soybean this year. Now farmers want to protect these unplanted fields by seeding a cover crop. Cover crops do just that: The plants cover the ground, and their roots stabilize the soil. Cover crops provide a simple and natural way to reduce soil erosion, […]
Farmers and ranchers with expiring Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts may now re-enroll in certain CRP continuous signup practices or, if eligible, select a one-year contract extension. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) also is accepting offers from those who want to enroll for the first time in one of the country’s largest conservation programs. FSA’s […]
Many dairy producers are starting the silage season with empty silos this summer, says Reagan Bluel, dairy specialist for University of Missouri Extension. That presents a good opportunity to inspect those silos for problems. Producers turned to silage stockpiles this winter to feed cattle after the drought of 2018. Tower silos, designed to store chopped […]
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has $1 million available for Missouri landowners who apply by July 19 for assistance to plant cover crops on flooded cropland, State Conservationist J.R. Flores said. Flores said that only land in the 13 Missouri counties included in a Presidential Disaster Declaration is eligible. Those counties are Andrew, […]
The deadline has been extended to reserve a spot for a free workshop on how landowners, gardeners, and local communities can improve their property by establishing native pollinator plots. Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist John Marshall will present information during the Pollinators and Wildlife Presentation and Field Tour at the Barton Farm Campus of Trenton the […]
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency will begin accepting nominations for county committee members Friday, June 14, 2019. Agricultural producers who participate or cooperate in an FSA program may be nominated for candidacy. Individuals may nominate themselves or others and organizations may also nominate candidates. Members serve three-year terms. The committees are […]
Governor Mike Parson congratulated Kansas City and all of Missouri for being selected by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue as the new home of USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agricultural Policy (NIFA). “We are thrilled that Secretary Perdue chose to relocate ERS and NIFA to the heartland. […]
Legislation that prevents Missouri counties from imposing regulations on concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) that are stricter than state regulations has been signed into law by Governor Mike Parson. The bill is backed by many of the state’s commodity groups, including the Missouri Farm Bureau and the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association. Critics include St. […]
