The Missouri Department of Natural Resources submitted the 2018 Drought Response Report to Governor Parson today. The report provides detailed information about 2018 drought conditions and the state’s response to the drought. “Shortly after taking office, we witnessed one of the worst droughts we have experienced in many years,” said Governor Mike Parson. “As a […]
Category: Farm News
Researchers use UAVs to track insect dispersal patterns
In a paper to be released soon, researchers tell how they used drones to track migration patterns of pests. “This research will help us quickly determine habitat preference and dispersal patterns for newly detected invasive insect species,” says University of Missouri Extension field crops entomologist Kevin Rice. That information can help farmers decide how to […]
Free farm labor guide helps farmers hire and keep the right workers
Like farm machinery and methods, hiring farmworkers has changed in recent years, says University of Missouri Extension agricultural economist Ryan Milhollin. MU Extension’s Missouri Farm Labor Guide can help. The guide, available for free download at extension.missouri.edu/p/M199, lets farmers know the right practices to identify, hire and retain the right workers. It explains ways to […]
Cattle farmers must guard against high nitrate in hay which causes cow deaths
On top of dealing with harsh winter weather in feeding cows, cattle farmers must guard against too much nitrate in poor-quality hay. “Just from cases we’ve confirmed, I know of 150 cows dying in the last month,” says Tim Evans, head toxicologist at the University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. High nitrate, mostly concentrated in […]
Audio: Cold weather is a challenge for Missouri cattlemen and calves
Missouri Agriculture Director Chris Chinn says the cold weather has been a danger to new-born calves and other livestock. She says it’s common for farmers to take extraordinary measures to see that calves are kept as comfortable as possible. Chinn says the cold weather is making calving especially difficult for cattlemen if they […]
Private Pesticide Applicator Training to be held in Princeton
University of Missouri Extension of Mercer County will host a Private Pesticide Applicator Training next week. Growers are welcome to attend the meeting in the Hal England Center basement the morning of February 22nd at 8:30 regardless of needing recertification. Mercer County Extension especially encourages growers to attend if their license has expired or will […]
Audio: Dairy program to be presented at Forage Systems Research Center
University Extension presents a dairy day program Monday at the MU farm in Linn County. The program begins at 10 o’clock, February 18th at the Forage Systems Research Center on Genoa Road, east of Linneus. MU extension specialist Valerie Tate talks about Monday’s speakers. Reservations are to be made with MU dairy specialist Reagen […]
Audio: Nikodim says future is bright for Missouri’s pork industry
The longtime Missouri Pork Association (MPA) leader says things are good in the pork industry. MPA Executive Vice President Don Nikodim spoke to Missourinet at this week’s Pork Expo in Columbia. Nikodim notes pork producers dealt with last summer’s drought, and have been dealing with snow and ice in many parts of the […]
Fescue forages lose toxins while stored for winter feed
Winter feeding of forage to beef herds doesn’t rank high as a favored job for herd owners. But there’s a bright side to feeding fescue, whether in hay or grass. Fescue toxins are down. “This is the best fescue will be, now until pastures green up again,” says Craig Roberts, University of Missouri Extension forage […]
Educational session on improving farming profits to be held at University of Missouri Forage Systems Research Center
Area dairy farmers can investigate ways to improve the bottom line of their farms and their profits during an educational training session near Linneus. North Missouri Dairy Day will be held at the University of Missouri Forage Systems Research Center east of Linneus on the morning of February 18th at 10 o’clock. Extension Dairy Field […]
NCMC Barton Farm Campus to host program on Missouri’s Fence Law
A free program regarding Missouri’s Fence Law will be held at the North Central Missouri College Barton Farm Campus of Trenton later this month. The University of Missouri Extension Agricultural Business Specialist Joe Koenen will provide a comparison of the two-state fence laws in the Lager Building the evening of February 21st from 6 o’clock […]
Audio: Missouri Soybean Association focusing on expanded markets
Soybean growers from across Missouri are focusing on expanding their markets. Governor Mike Parson tells Brownfield he likes the idea of expanded cattle feeding in Missouri, creating a larger market for soybean meal. Missouri Soybean Association President Brooks Hurst tells Brownfield trade issues have caused growers to focus on biodiesel and soybean meal. […]
Cover crop workshop to be held February 19th
Producers thinking about or already planting cover crops are encouraged to attend a workshop near Bethany. The cover crop workshop will be held at the American Legion Hall on Highway 13 south of Bethany February 19th starting at 9 o’clock in the morning. Natural Resources Conservation Service District Conservationist Scott McClure says speakers with first-hand […]
Audio: Missouri Farm Service Agency says “Trade mitigation payments on track”
Missouri Farm Service Agency Director Brent Hampy says county office staffers are working hard to get farmers the programs they need – now that the federal government is fully open. Hampy says the amount of work being done at each office depends on the circumstances in each county. The second payments […]
Program to educate landowners and tenants on farm leases to be held in Bethany
A program meant to educate landowners and tenants on Missouri Farm Leases will be held February 12, 2019, at the Harrison County Extension Office, located at 1505 Main, Courthouse Basement, in Bethany. The course will be instructed by a team of MU Extension Agricultural Business Specialists via live-stream and will be held from 6:00 to […]
Proposed rules for Industrial Hemp Pilot Program available for comment through February 1st
The Missouri Department of Agriculture is reminding those interested in Missouri’s Industrial Hemp Pilot Program there are five days remaining to review and comment on the proposed rules put forth by the Department. Passed by the General Assembly in 2018, HB 2034 exempted industrial hemp from the definition of marijuana and the list of controlled substances […]
Carroll County Soils and Crop Conference slated for January 29th
Several University of Missouri Extension specialists will headline the Carroll County Soils and Crop Conference later this month. Weed management in row crops, relying on hay as a supplemental feed, the market outlook for Missouri agriculture and emerging insect pests in Missouri field crops will be discussed at the free event at the Carroll County […]
Cover crop field guide available as mobile app
The Midwest Cover Crops Council’s popular field guide is available as a mobile app for smartphones and tablets. The Midwest Cover Crops Field Scout app lets farmers, crop advisers and conservation professionals access cover crop information on mobile devices, said Charles Ellis, University of Missouri Extension agricultural engineering specialist and MCCC board member. “The app […]
Audio: Parson says Panama Canal expansion is a plus for Missouri agriculture
Governor Parson says the Panama Canal expansion is an opportunity to make greater use of the Mississippi River for shipping agriculture products. Governor Parson says the Panama Canal expansion can give an edge to Missouri farmers shipping agriculture goods along the Mississippi River. But he says state transportation funding needs attention. […]
Plan announced to control use of antibiotics in livestock
The major players in the meat industry have developed what they’re calling a “stewardship plan” they say will ensure that they use antibiotics in livestock only when necessary. At issue is the possible development of deadly “super-bug” infections that are resistant to antibiotics and harmful to humans. The group has developed a set of guidelines and […]