Spring sales of Show-Me-Select replacement heifers are set in four auction barns across the state in April, May, and June. Spring sales offer bred replacement heifers for fall-calving herds, says Dave Patterson, University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist. All heifers sold meet strict standards taught in MU Extension’s Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program. Only owners enrolled […]
Category: Farm News
USDA announces sign-up period for Conservation Stewardship Program
The next deadline for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) applications to be considered for funding this year is May 10, 2019. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) plans to invest up to $700 million for new enrollments and contract extensions in the fiscal year 2019. The 2018 Farm Bill made several changes to this critical […]
MU Soybean Symposium to be held April 10th in Columbia
Technology in the form of “big data” may guide farmers’ selection of soybean varieties best-suited for their fields. Data may come from drones overhead or in-depth analysis of soil. Data may include climate impact. Big numbers are topics for talks April 10 at the U.S. Soybean Symposium on the University of Missouri campus, Columbia. Speakers […]
Livestock Person of the Year applications due May 1, 2019
Applications are being accepted for the 2019 Northeast Missouri Livestock Person of the Year award. Applications are open to residents from the following counties in northeast Missouri: Adair, Clark, Knox, Lewis, Linn, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Pike, Putnam, Randolph, Ralls, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby, or Sullivan. The individual receiving this award must have made a significant contribution […]
MU seeks more farmers for 2019 strip trials
The Missouri Strip Trial Program continues to seek farmers for the upcoming growing season, says University of Missouri Extension nutrient management specialist John Lory. MU Extension works with farmers to use their equipment to compare treatments on their fields using aerial imagery and GPS-referenced yield monitor data. The MU team works with the farmers so […]
Improving cattle grazing fescue pastures with legumes
Cattle producers see more profit when they add legumes to fescue pastures and manage grazing systems properly, says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist. Fescue remains the hardy mainstay of southwestern Missouri pastures. Adding legumes gives fescue fields more nutritional punch and profit, Davis says. Proper management is key to making grasses and […]
MU Thompson Farm results in advance calf production for beef herd owners
Thompson Farm, Spickard, makes a home for beef reproduction research from the University of Missouri. That doesn’t protect it from harsh weather of hot droughts and frigid calving season faced by all beef farms recently. Weather cut beef herd size and boosted costs for labor and feed, farm manager Jon Schreffler told a meeting of […]
Audio: Missouri cattle operation granted permit to expand, but legal matter delays construction
A western Missouri concentrated animal feeding operation has been granted a permit to expand, but a legal matter is preventing expansion just yet. On Friday, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources granted a permit to Valley Oaks Real Estate in Lone Jack to expand to nearly 7,000 beef cattle, but the operation is […]
Melinda Hemmelgarn and others dispute claims in Missouri Farm Bureau commentary
In a recent commentary from the Missouri Farm Bureau, Blake Hurst came out in favor of SB 391, which provides that county commissions and county health center boards shall not impose standards or requirements on an agricultural operation. Refuting those claims in the Farm Bureau commentary is Registered Dietitian Melinda Hemmelgarn. She states that she […]
Audio: Missouri Farm Bureau President says northwest Missouri flooding will especially hurt farmers
Northwest and northeast Missouri farmers are feeling the pain caused by major flooding in the region. In northwest Missouri, Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst thinks most of the farmers impacted by the flood waters were able to get their tractors and combines to higher ground but not their grain. Hurst says record-breaking flooding […]
Audio: More than 200 Missouri cattle die of nitrate poisoning in past month
More than 200 head of cattle have died of nitrate poisoning in Missouri in roughly the past month. University of Missouri Extension beef nutritionist Eric Bailey says the problem has become worse because of the extended winter. University of Missouri Extension beef nutritionist Eric Bailey says weather extremes have contributed to toxic levels […]
Missouri Department of Agriculture opens entries for annual “Focus on Missouri Agriculture” photo contest
The Missouri Department of Agriculture today launched the 10th annual Focus on Missouri Agriculture photo contest, asking Missourians to share the unique stories and images of agriculture through photographs. The contest, which runs through June 14, is an opportunity for amateur photographers across the state to submit their best images of Missouri agriculture. That image […]
Private pesticide applicator training to be held in Gallatin
Training will be held in Gallatin for individuals looking to obtain or renew their private pesticide applicators license. The meeting will be in the basement of the Daviess County Library at 306 West Grand in Gallatin on the evening of March 20th at 6 o’clock. Topics will include proper handling and safe use of pesticides […]
Missouri Farm Bureau Commentary: Missouri farmers should face consistent rules for raising livestock
Bacon is popular, but living near a hog farm is not. Bacon isn’t possible without hogs, so if we want bacon, we’re going to have to raise pigs. Missouri Senate Bill 391 is opposed by people who either don’t like bacon or don’t realize how it’s made. The bill would require that county regulation aimed […]
Missouri Soybean Association District Director election results
The leadership team for the Missouri Soybean Association welcomes a new farmer-leader following this month’s district director elections. Russell Wolf, a farmer from Tipton, was elected to the Association’s board of directors during the District 5 meeting February 18 in Marshall. He joins his fellow board members in guiding the organization’s policy, advocacy and membership […]
Trenton farmer recognized as one of the top producers in the United States
A Trenton farmer received a first-place state yield award in the National Corn Growers Association National Corn Yield Contest. Adrian Cox was recognized as one of the top-yielding corn producers in the nation with a DeKalb brand blend corn yielding nearly 319 bushels per acre in the AA Non-Irrigated category. He was among DeKalb winners […]
Use sound grazing practices to reduce overgrazing and weeds
Weed problems may explode this year thanks to the drought of 2018 and residual problems associated with overgrazing in parched pastures, says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Valerie Tate. Last year’s extreme weather conditions created a forage shortage. As a result, many pastures were overgrazed. When pastures are overgrazed, there is little green leaf material […]
High nitrate in hay can, and is, killing beef cows in complex ways
Two years of abnormal weather changed plant growth, which changes livestock digestion and in the end, cows die. The words “it’s very complex” kept popping up in a University of Missouri emergency teleconference of state and regional MU Extension specialists. This winter farmers find groups of cows dead, often falling on newly unrolled baled hay. […]
Audio: Soil and Water Conservation districts to hold meetings
Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Grundy, Harrison, and Mercer Counties are planning annual meetings and recognition. Grundy County’s soil and water conservation meeting is scheduled for Friday, March 8th at the Barton Farm Campus in Trenton. The meeting includes a free luncheon from 11 to 1, recognition of the Conservationist of the Year and […]
Applications for disaster loans due to drought need to be completed soon
Because of the federal disaster declaration stemming from the drought of last year, applications are due for economic injury disaster loans of up to two million dollars to help meet working capital needs that can be blamed on the drought. The loans can be used to pay fixed debts, payroll accounts payable and other bills that […]