Corn in Beginning Stages of Drought

Farmers seek forage options as drought cuts grass growth

Shortage of cattle forage is forcing some Ozark herd owners to chop trees to feed leaves. That method was used in big droughts of the 1930s and 1950s. Damage comes from more than an intense drought, said Craig Roberts, University of Missouri forage specialist in a weekly teleconference. Regional extension specialists update state staff on […]

Dairy Cows

Close-up cow’ barns help cows avoid heat stress, produce more milk

Martin Prairie Farms near Humansville treats dairy cows like guests.  The family-owned dairy farm north of Humansville in Hickory County dedicates itself to top-of-the-line herd nutrition and care, says University of Missouri Extension dairy specialist Reagan Bluel. Freddie and Mary Martin, son David, and David’s spouse, Alana, own and operate the nearly 3,000-acre farm. Almost […]

Firetruck news graphic

Chillicothe firefighters respond fire on Highway 65

Chillicothe firefighters Saturday evening extinguished a small grass fire along Highway 65 south of Chillicothe. Fire Chief Darrell Wright said smoke from the blaze was causing traffic issues when the fire had spread onto the highway right of way from unattended brush piles being burned by a landowner. Firefighters briefly were on the scene just […]

MoDOT Mowing

Mowing season begins on Missouri roads

Missouri Department of Transportation crews will soon begin mowing roadsides across the state. “Our mowing focuses on visibility and safety,” said MoDOT State Maintenance Engineer Becky Allmeroth. “Motorists will see tractor mowers near the shoulder of interstates and other busy roadways. Please watch out for our crews, slow down and don’t drive distracted.” Major and […]