Landscape of United States farmland (Photo via Envato Elements)

Citing concerns about China, states mull limits on foreign ownership of farmland

(Missouri Independent) – Amid growing concern about Chinese investment in U.S. agriculture, there has been a renewed push to limit and more closely monitor foreign ownership of farmland across the country. At least eight states considered implementing a new limit on foreign control of agricultural land, and one, Indiana, passed a new law limiting new […]

Let Your Voice Be Heard (Survey) News Graphic

USDA releases nationwide farmer, rancher and forest manager customer survey

Producers can now take a nationwide survey to help the U.S. Department of Agriculture improve and increase access to its programs and services for America’s farmers, ranchers, and forest managers. The survey includes new and existing customers. USDA encourages all agricultural producers to take the survey, especially those who have not worked with USDA previously. […]

Large bales of hay in a field (Photo by Federico Faccipieri on Unsplash)

How you feed your livestock hay this winter is more important than ever

With a shortage of standing forage for cattle and the low availability of hay, it is more important than ever this winter to reduce waste when feeding hay. Hay waste is normal, but it can be controlled and minimized, said University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist Tim Schnakenberg. There can be considerable loss when livestock […]

Natural Resource Conservation Service (NCRS) website

NRCS announces funding opportunities for farmers and landowners under seven regional partnership projects

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Missouri invites qualifying farmers and landowners to apply to receive technical and financial assistance through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program. Funding is available for seven regional partnership projects. Applications must be received by January 13, 2023, to be considered for this round of funding. The RCPP projects and associated […]

Farm Bill News Graphic

Climate funding could suffer in the farm bill under GOP control of Congress

(Missouri Independent) – Republicans who may be taking control of Congress in next week’s midterm elections have not been very specific about many policy goals—but the farm bill is an exception. Members of the GOP in the U.S. House and Senate are sending strong signals they want to strip climate funding from the massive legislation […]

Large bales of hay in a field (Photo by Federico Faccipieri on Unsplash)

MoDOT extends overwidth hauling permit to aid hay movement, farmers now have through December 1

Continued drought conditions through much of the state have prompted the Missouri Department of Transportation to extend the special overwidth hauling permit for hay at no cost through Dec. 1, 2022. Loads must be of legal height, length and weight. Permits can be requested online using the MoDOT Carrier Express online service. To have the fee […]

USDA Loan Assistance Tool website

USDA launches loan assistance tool to assist farmers and ranchers in navigating the farm loan application process

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched a new online tool to help farmers and ranchers better navigate the farm loan application process. This uniform application process will help to ensure all farm loan applicants receive equal support and have a consistent customer experience with USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) regardless of their individual circumstances.   […]

Missouri Livestock Symposium Website 2022

Dr. Garry Lacefield to be featured forage speaker at 2022 Missouri Livestock Symposium

Livestock owners will learn best management practices to control feed costs at the 23rd annual Missouri Livestock Symposium in Kirksville, MO on December 3, says Garry L. Mathes, chairman. Zac Erwin, MU Extension Field Specialist in Livestock and Symposium vice-chair, says “The forages speaker line-up for this year is a great opportunity to hear not […]

Women in Agriculture

Free “Women in Agriculture” workshop to be held on November 10 in Green City

Women with an interest in agriculture and wanting to learn about current agricultural topics are invited to attend a Women in Agriculture workshop, Thursday, November 10, from 9:00-3:15 pm at City Hall in Green City, Missouri. This free workshop is an opportunity to bring together farm women and those who work in the agriculture industry […]

Farmer Financing News Graphic

Federal government has given $800 million to keep indebted farmers afloat

(Missouri Independent) – More than 13,000 farmers have benefited from nearly $800 million in federal debt relief, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said Tuesday. The assistance came from a new federal initiative to erase farmers’ loan delinquencies to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and private lenders or to resolve their remaining debts after foreclosure. […]

Missouri Livestock Symposium Website 2022

Livestock Symposium beef program focuses on capturing profitability and navigating challenging times

Beef producers will learn what opportunities and challenges are ahead at the 23rd annual Missouri Livestock Symposium on December 2 & 3 in Kirksville, MO, says Garry L. Mathes, committee chairman.  Zac Erwin, University of Missouri Extension Livestock Specialist and Symposium vice-chair says, “The beef speaker line-up this year is a great opportunity to hear […]

Drought Graphic

Severe drought triggers assistance in nearly all of Kansas, half of Missouri

(Missouri Independent) – Almost all of Kansas and nearly half of Missouri are in severe enough drought to activate a federal program meant to help ranchers who have lost grazing acres for their herds, triggering millions of dollars in assistance. Eighty-five of Kansas’ 105 counties have been eligible for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s livestock forage program, which […]

Farm Scene

Tight labor market challenges farm employers to rethink compensation

Today’s tight labor market makes it harder for farm employers to compete for workers, says Ryan Milhollin, University of Missouri Extension agricultural economist. Farm laborers work long hours, sometimes in inclement weather. Workers may need diverse skills to fill roles such as truck driver, mechanic, nutritionist, forage specialist, veterinarian, babysitter, and weather forecaster. For this […]

Chickens or poultry in a farm yard

University of Missouri Extension and Lincoln University Extension to hold a backyard laying hen workshop

University of Missouri Extension and Lincoln University Extension will hold a backyard laying hen workshop in Brunswick. The session will be at the Saint Boniface Catholic Church on October 29th from 1 to 4 pm. Participants will learn about basic management practices to ensure a healthy backyard flock, biosecurity, licensing and labeling requirements, and processing, […]

Diana Rodgers, RD, nutritionist, and sustainability advocate to be keynote speaker at livestock symposium

Missouri Livestock Symposium announces Keynote speaker

Diana Rodgers, RD, nutritionist, and sustainability advocate will be the keynote speaker, Friday evening December 2nd at the 23rd annual Missouri Livestock Symposium in Kirksville, MO, says Garry L. Mathes, chairman. Diana Rodgers is a “real food” nutritionist and sustainability advocate near Boston, Massachusetts. She speaks internationally about the intersection of optimal human nutrition, regenerative […]

Drought

Drought conditions continue to expand in Missouri, conditions in the Green Hills Region remain constant

Drought conditions continue to expand in Missouri, however, this week’s U. S. Drought Monitor map shows conditions in the Green Hills area have remained virtually the same as last week. This week’s map was released Thursday morning, October 6th, and is based on conditions as of the morning of October 4th. There is still moderate […]