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 […]
The Thompson Farm calving barn became a classroom for the University of Missouri. The teachers were MU graduate students and their mentors. Their listeners were beef farmers on Sept. 17. In his field day greeting, Chris Daubert said this farm was a classroom as much as any building on the Columbia campus. Daubert, dean of […]
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 […]
While the rains have helped, water restrictions remain in place at Cameron. It’s been reported the water level has increased to 51 percent, compared to 39 percent before the rains came. Among his remarks in comparing the 2018 drought with that of 2012, MU Extension specialist Tim Baker of Gallatin says water supply […]
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, […]
In the 2018 drought forages for cow herds are short. Without rain, pastures didn’t grow and stored hay for winter feeding fell short. But feed options are at hand that were not available before. This drought has more feed grains available at possibly lower prices, says Scott Brown, University of Missouri beef economist. Missourians hard hit […]
New research results will be featured at a September 17th field day at the University of Missouri Thompson Farm, Spickard. Woodland improvements on a beef farm will be the newest show-and-tell at the annual event, says Jon Schreffler, MU farm manager. Wooded acres now provide income from timber harvest. Dusty Walter, MU forester, will share […]
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. […]
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 […]
Farmers are looking to drought-stressed corn for silage and balage to stretch limited hay supplies. Chopped corn silage offers beef producers better options than balage, says University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Gene Schmitz. Silage allows better control of the amount of high-energy feed for wintering cattle, Schmitz says. Balage offers less flexibility and control […]
Missouri residents, business owners, and elected officials may now participate in the second 2018 Missouri Survey. The survey is designed to gather input on issues Missourians feel are important in sustaining local communities and building a strong local economy and will take residents about 10 minutes to complete. Participation in the survey is voluntary, and […]
Seeding winter annual small grain offers fall grazing for beef cow herds short on grass and hay. “Lots of calls are coming in,” said Craig Roberts, University of Missouri Extension forage specialist. He offers encouraging words and cautions. Interest grew as some local USDA Farm Service Agency offices offer added drought disaster assistance. Drilling wheat, […]
The University of Missouri Extension introduced a new mobile app to identify herbicide injury at its annual Pest Management Field Day on July 10. MU Extension weed specialist Mandy Bish says Herbicide Injury ID lets users send photos of injured plants to MU Extension for preliminary diagnosis and feedback. Users can also scroll through a […]
Stunted, stemmy pastures unable to support grazing cattle have potential and farmers are dependin on fall rains to bring fall regrowth, says University of Missouri Extension forage agronomist Craig Roberts. Cool-season grass growth always slumps in summer. Fescue goes dormant. This year, the slump dives deep with lack of rain and too much heat. In […]
