The University of Missouri Extension will hold workshops throughout the state on how to attract and keep quality farm laborers. “This one-day workshop was developed by MU Extension to help you improve your labor management and finances and protect your business,” says MU Extension agricultural economist Ryan Milhollin. Attendees will learn tips to recruit, train, […]
University of Missouri Extension researchers are among the recipients of a new five-year, $4.34 million grant from USDA to study water and nutrient recycling, says MU Extension agricultural engineer Teng Lim. The grant, “Water and Nutrient Recycling: A Decision Tool and Synergistic Innovative Technology,” includes five universities: MU, University of Arkansas, Colorado School of Mines, […]
Livestock producers can stretch short supplies of hay this year by using a simple ammonia treatment on bales, says University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Zac Erwin. Erwin and MU Extension agronomy specialist Valerie Tate will lead-free hay ammoniation demonstrations Oct. 9 and Oct. 11 at 5:30 p.m. to show farmers how to boost the […]
Test baled cornstalks for nitrate levels and feed them to cattle with caution, says University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Gene Schmitz. MU Extension agronomists across the state report high nitrate levels caused by this summer’s drought. County MU Extension centers offer nitrate testing. Before feeding cornstalk bales, it is important to know nitrate levels […]
The University of Missouri Extension will receive a $432,747 Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) grant through the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The grant runs from September 2018 to August 2021, says MU Extension BFRDP coordinator Karen Funkenbusch. MU Extension is one of 36 BFRDP grant recipients. Teams of experts plan […]
Widespread drought conditions during the 2018 growing season in most of Missouri resulted in hay and forage shortages, says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Dhruba Dhakal. Dhakal offers some alternative/emergency forage options to feed beef cattle during fall, winter, and spring. Stockpiling tall fescue If fescue stands are strong, stockpiling tall fescue is one of […]
Prolonged heat stress this year may bring a smaller calf crop next year. Herd owners are seeing cows known to be pregnant coming back into heat to be rebred. Pregnancy losses are due to several reasons, says Scott Poock, University of Missouri Extension veterinarian. “The first is increased internal temperature of the cow.” In July, […]
U.S. pork producers should be aware of an emerging swine disease, says University of Missouri Extension veterinarian Corinne Bromfield. Chinese pork producers reported the 13th outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) Sept. 6. It has appeared since August in several locations in China hundreds of miles apart. This leaves researchers scratching their heads over how […]
The University of Missouri Extension has developed an innovative online program with the focus on building better leaders. The 11-week course runs Jan. 21-April 8, 2019. Leadership Online for Today (LOFT) is an interactive course that allows participants to improve communication skills, build relationships and networks, and develop a collaborative project to benefit a community […]
Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn gives the welcome at the sixth annual Pearls of Production: Women in Agriculture workshop Nov. 2-3 in Columbia. Chinn, a fifth-generation farmer from Clarence, manages a farrow-to-finish operation with her husband and children. The Chinns also have a small cow-calf herd and family feed mill and grow corn, soybean, […]
The University of Missouri Extension will present a program on issues facing farm landlords and tenants regarding cash rent. The Farm Leases Program will be presented at the FCS Financial meeting room at 2880 North Washington Street the night of September 17th from 6 to 9 o’clock. Topics include current cash rents in Missouri and […]
Cash rental rates for Missouri cropland changed little, according to a newly released survey from the University of Missouri Extension. Pastureland rental prices ticked upward slightly. The survey helps landowners and farmers find trends in rental rates for cropland, pastureland, grain bins, farm buildings and fee hunting. The survey covered criteria such as the location […]
“Making the best better” for generations of Missouri 4-H club members, 50 volunteers joined the Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame on Aug. 18 at State Fair Community College in Sedalia. Inductees from 38 counties established a legacy totaling 1,318 years of service to 4-H. More than 250 family members and friends attended the 12th annual […]
Science to develop Show-Me-Select replacement heifers keeps growing. Cattlemen learned the latest in an Aug. 16 “Beef ReproGene” meeting at the University of Missouri Extension Center in Howell County. MU reproduction and genetics specialists gave updates before and after dinner. Dave Patterson, who started the MU Show-Me-Select program 22 years ago, led with a refresher. […]
Over the past several weeks, much has been said about the U.S. Drought Monitor and the outline of drought impacted counties across northern Missouri. The Drought Monitor summary map identifies areas of drought and labels them by intensity. D-1 is the least intense level and D-4 is the most intense. The latter designation from last […]
In response to worsening drought conditions throughout the state, Governor Parson announced the availability of water for family farms at 28 Department of Conservation areas and five Department of Natural Resources state parks. Governor Parson also announced the creation of a lottery for farmers interested in haying, free of charge, on almost 900 acres of Missouri […]
Parents often go to great lengths during the school year to be sure their children have the right equipment—pens, notebooks, clothing—to make it through the day. “Proper nutrition is also a key ingredient for school success because it fuels brain cells and gives your child the energy and nutrients he or she needs for optimal […]
Gov. Mike Parson will be among the speakers at the Farm, Family & ME! Summit for Women Sept. 13-14 at the Missouri Farm Bureau headquarters in Jefferson City. University of Missouri Extension agricultural business specialist Karisha Devlin says the two-day event offers women in agriculture an opportunity to hear from top-notch speakers and entrepreneurs. In […]
University of Missouri Extension natural resource engineer Kent Shannon offers tips for collecting farm yield data prior to harvest. Back up yield data from the previous season. Copy each season’s data to a unique folder. Maintain several backup copies of the display/raw data in different locations to prevent losses from theft, damage or modification. Delete […]
New sire selection rules for Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifers improve reliable calving-ease genetics. “Bulls used in the heifer program will carry DNA-tested EPDs (expected progeny differences),” said Jared Decker, University of Missouri Extension geneticist. The rules going into effect Feb. 1, 2019, were set by the SMS governing board of farmers. “DNA tests add reliability to EPDs […]
