The United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency State Executive Director Brent Hampy reminds producers who experienced losses from natural disasters during the 2017 and 2018 calendar years that they may be eligible for assistance through several programs. One of those is the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program, which provides […]
Odd fall weather and fescue pasture growth set up potential poisonous pastures causing fescue foot in cow herds. Fall growth after a drought produces more toxins in infected tall fescue grass. The poison develops after rains start regrowth following a drought, says Craig Roberts, University of Missouri Extension specialist. Roberts urges herd owners to keep […]
With a November 16 deadline approaching, Pheasants and Quail Forever is encouraging farmers and ranchers to consider utilizing a federal program that provides financial and technical assistance to establish habitat that benefits Monarch butterflies and other wildlife. Jake Swafford, Coordinating Wildlife Biologist, said the Monarch Initiative administered by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) […]
Replacement heifers to upgrade cow-calf herds will be offered in six Show-Me-Select sales this fall. Also, owners can restock cow herds culled in the drought. With strength in beef demand and rains growing pastures, herd owners can rebuild. Dry weather’s impact on forages had farmers concerned. “Optimism of cow-calf herd owners should return,” says David […]
There’s disagreement among farmers over the Clean Missouri ballot measure to redraw voting districts. The Missouri Farm Bureau opposes the proposal, claiming it would weaken the power of rural voters. Mid-Missouri cattle rancher Susan Williams says Cooper County where she lives is already disenfranchised because it’s divided into four legislative districts. Former Missouri […]
On Tuesday, November 6, 2018, voters will see three medical marijuana initiatives on their ballots—Amendment 2, Amendment 3, and proposition C. Voters are permitted to vote “yes” or “no” on each of the ballot measures. You can read the full text of each ballot issue in the November 6 General Election by going to the Missouri […]
The annual University of Missouri Crop Management Conference offers updates on how 2018’s drought-to-downpour growing season affected crops, pests, and disease, and provides insights on how trade affects agricultural commodity markets. The event, Dec. 18-19 at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia, also includes information on dicamba research and label requirements, says MU Extension […]
Missouri Farm Service Agency State Executive Director Brent Hampy announced Tuesday that the United States Department of Agriculture will begin mailing ballots to eligible agricultural producers next Monday, November 5th for the 2018 FSA county committee elections. Hampy said county committee members represent farmers, ranchers, and foresters. He added that producers elected to the committees […]
The Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation has named the former Burlington Northern Railway Depot in Bethany as one of 15 Places in Peril. A news release from the alliance says the depot in Bethany was the last active depot in Harrison County. The first train arrived there on October 28th, 1880. The station employed a […]
Smithfield Foods, Inc. announces, through the nationwide expansion of Smithfield Renewables, innovative projects designed to help meet its goal to reduce the company’s greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent by 2025, which it set in concert with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). This month marks the one-year anniversary of Smithfield Renewables. As part of the expansion of Smithfield […]
The Grundy County Commission accepted a bid Tuesday morning from Farmers Bank of Northern Missouri for a bank loan for a road and bridge excavator pending a letter of opinion from legal counsel. The loan involves 3.8% interest for five years with no pre-payment penalty. The Grundy County Commission received two other bids for bank […]
United States Department of Agriculture Missouri Farm Service Agency Executive Director Brent Hampy has announced that more than 86 million dollars will be paid to Missouri farms that enrolled in Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage for 2017 market downturns. Missouri FSA will also distribute more than 102 million dollars in Conservation Reserve Program […]
Post-harvest is a good time for producers to review their liability insurance coverage, says University of Missouri economist Ray Massey. Recent issues with dicamba spray drift highlight the need for farmers to understand their third-party liability due to herbicide applications, Massey says. Massey recommends that farmers consult with an insurance or legal professional experienced in […]
The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) director says technology is important in attracting young farmers. Brian Hauswirth with Missourinet has the story. The state Department of Agriculture says the average age of a Missouri farmer is 58. MDA Director Chris Chinn notes Governor Mike Parson’s two top priorities are workforce development and infrastructure, adding […]
Oscar Mensa, a long-time rancher from Milan, Missouri, will be honored at the 2018 Missouri Livestock Symposium on Friday, November 30, 2018, when he will be inducted into the Missouri Livestock Symposium’s Livestock Person of the Year Hall of Fame. Mensa is the 16th person to be selected for this honor. Those selected have made […]
The United State Department of Agriculture continues to invest in rural America with more than $4.8 billion in payments being made, starting this month, to agricultural producers through the Farm Service Agency’s Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC), Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Conservation Reserve (CRP) programs. Approximately $3 billion in payments will be made under the […]
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will issue $9.4 million in grants to provide enhanced training, outreach, and technical assistance to underserved and veteran farmers and ranchers. This funding is available through the USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (also known […]
Missouri farmers have taken positions on Clean Missouri, the ballot measure that changes the way voting districts are drawn up and limits campaign contributions and lobbyist gifts. Rick Oswald, a former president of the Missouri Farmers Union, favors the measure because he thinks lawmakers have been swayed by the influence of big money. […]
Pastures grow green for farmers. When managed well, pastures add dollars to farms. University of Missouri economists reports an added output of $125 million per year from using skills taught for management-intensive grazing (MiG) at grazing schools. “That’s annual impact, not cumulative,” says Craig Roberts, MU Extension forage specialist. Payoffs come in extra milk or […]
United States Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri has called for answers regarding insufficient staffing levels at US Department of Agriculture offices in Missouri. McCaskill wrote to Natural Resources Conservation Service Acting Chief Leonard Jordan saying failure to hire and retain full-time staff during hard times puts producers and natural resources at risk. She added that […]
