Drought. You are either in it, preparing for it, or recovering from it. That’s how University of Missouri Extension specialists describe the sentiments of farm families facing yet another year of uncertainty. “Missouri stands at the precipice of its fourth significant drought in six years,” says Rob Kallenbach, associate dean of the MU College of […]
Forage producers searching for options amid sustained drought should consider emergency forages, says Todd Lorenz, University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist. The drought is not going away and producers need to find a way to fill feed gaps, he says. Three years of back-to-back drought leave producers searching for options. The 2021 season ended with […]
The Missouri Department of Agriculture is now accepting nominations for the Missouri Agriculture Awards. For centuries, Missouri farmers and ranchers have been providing our nation with food, fuel, and fiber and have assumed the responsibility of investing their lives to provide for others while also giving back to this state’s economy. The award categories include […]
Drought conditions have shown little change in the Green Hills area since last week, while the rest of the state continues to face worsening conditions. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map, released on the morning of July 13th and based on conditions as of July 11th, provides an overview of the current situation. Severe drought […]
(Missouri Independent) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture will spend $300 million to better measure the effectiveness of techniques to lower carbon emissions in farming and forestry, the department said Wednesday. The funding comes from a $20 billion allocation for climate-smart agriculture in the climate and social policy law Democrats in Congress passed along party […]
The University of Missouri Extension agricultural economists recommend that you check with your crop insurance agent before cutting or grazing drought-damaged crops as relief forages. Some producers are finding that drought-stricken corn may have more value as cattle feed than grain this year. They are using corn to fill feed gaps. “These management decisions influence […]
The Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority announced that 28 projects will receive funding through the Show-Me Entrepreneurial Grants for Agriculture (SEGA) program. The competitive grant program will provide nearly $4 million to Missouri farmers, small businesses, and higher education institutions to add value to agricultural products or provide educational opportunities to those seeking […]
The majority of Missouri is currently facing drought conditions that have persisted for nearly a year, creating significant challenges for cattle producers. To address this issue, University of Missouri Extension specialists have outlined five crucial action items for producers to undertake immediately. Firstly, producers are advised to cull their herds. Potential candidates for culling include […]
In the future, the food you eat could be grown from seeds developed with gene editing tools. As scientists tinker with crop DNA, North Dakota farmer advocates see opportunity while expressing caution. Certain companies are racing to perfect seed technology by establishing genome blueprints emphasizing specific traits, such as making a crop more resistant to drought. […]
Anti-hunger advocates are closely watching negotiations over the 2023 Farm Bill. Every five years, Congress considers this large piece of legislation – but it doesn’t just impact agriculture. The Farm Bill also contains funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP – the country’s largest food aid program. A deal in Congress to raise the debt […]
Several counties in our area have been included in a recently released list that allows emergency haying and grazing to commence after July 15th. This opportunity is made possible through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), which permits emergency haying and grazing on specific CRP practices in counties designated as D-2 or higher on the United […]
Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) joined Representative Sam Graves (MO-06), Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), and Representatives Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03), Jason Smith (MO-08), Mark Alford (MO-04), and Eric Burlison (MO-07) in sending a letter to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack urging the USDA to open Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands for emergency haying […]
Drought conditions in the Green Hills region of Missouri have shown signs of improvement over the past week, even as the state as a whole experiences worsening conditions, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor map released on the morning of July 6th. The report’s data is based on conditions as of July 4th. In […]
Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) led Senators Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt, along with Representatives Blaine Luetkemeyer, Jason Smith, Mark Alford, and Eric Burlison in writing United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to encourage the USDA to pursue all available options to open Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands to haying in an effort to […]
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA is making investments to increase independent meat and poultry processing capacity, expand market opportunities for farmers, and support a growing workforce in rural areas. The announcement comes on the heels of President Biden delivering a major address on “Bidenomics”—his vision for growing the […]
The Missouri Department of Agriculture is now accepting nominations for the Missouri Agriculture Awards. For centuries, Missouri farmers and ranchers have been providing our nation with food, fuel, and fiber and have assumed the responsibility of investing their lives to provide for others while also giving back to this state’s economy. The award categories include […]
University of Missouri (MU) agriculture researchers and extension specialists are set to share their latest findings at field days across the state from August through October. These events will take place at various Extension and Education Centers (EECs) administered by MU Extension, as well as at Research, Extension, and Education Centers (REECs) affiliated with the […]
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is partnering with American businesses as part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda to increase innovative domestic fertilizer production, creating jobs in rural communities and providing more options to U.S. farmers. “The rapid increase in the cost of critical inputs like fertilizer is only […]
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey and Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Chris Chinn warn Missouri farmers and ranchers about hay scammers. Attorney General Bailey and Director Chinn want to help Missouri farmers and ranchers avoid falling victim to predatory schemes, and reinforce that the Missouri Attorney General’s Office is ready to assist Missourians who believe […]
(Missouri Independent) – City leaders in Storm Lake, a rural community of 11,000 in Northwest Iowa, are asking residents not to wash their cars or water their yards and gardens during the hottest part of the day. The city also has cut back on watering public recreational spaces, such as ballfields and golf courses. These […]
