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 […]
Tag: Rains
Area FFA members to receive American FFA Degree at National Convention
Several young adults from area FFA chapters will be presented with their American FFA Degrees late next month in Indianapolis, Indiana at the National FFA Convention and Expo. Presentations are made to less than one percent of the overall FFA membership with the ceremony taking place on the morning of October 27th. At the 2018 National […]
Alternative forage options during and after drought
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 […]
Recent rains significantly improve drought conditions in Northern Missouri
This week’s drought map of Missouri shows fewer counties with extreme drought conditions when compared to one week ago. Portions of just five northwest Missouri counties have extreme drought continuing, They are Grundy, Livingston, Daviess, DeKalb, and Gentry. Others are near North Kansas city including parts of Jackson, Clay, and Platte. In central Missouri, extreme […]
Audio: Water restrictions remain in place in Cameron
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 […]
Extreme drought conditions persist despite recent rainfall
Drought conditions have improved but still persist despite recent rains. Extreme drought conditions are noted in portions of 15 counties. But none of them are in the worst category which is exceptional. Just six percent of the state is experiencing extreme drought conditions. That compares to 13 percent in the same category last week. Parts of […]
In drought, byproduct feeds help cow herds on short pastures, hay
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 […]
Drought in Missouri improves by 5% overall in latest information from monitoring sources
Rainfall has helped to reduce drought conditions in some places but it wasn’t enough in other areas. The U.S. Drought Monitor map was released Thursday morning, is based on data as of Tuesday before the significant rains of Tuesday night. According to the latest map, all or parts of a dozen counties continue to have […]
Grundy County crop progress report shows little change
Grundy County’s crop progress report indicates topsoil moisture supplies have improved, however, recent rains did little to replenish the subsoil moisture. The latest report released Monday shows topsoil moisture at 60 percent short to very short which compares to 90 percent short to very short in a previous report. 40 percent of the topsoil moisture […]
Raven Moreno crowned Miss Calamity Jane
The Miss Calamity Jane Pageant was held Saturday night in Princeton and the Princeton Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners. Raven Moreno was crowned Miss Calamity Jane with Pyper Rains chosen as Little Miss Calamity. Carson Glidewell was named Little Wild Bill with Emery Houck winning the title of Princess and Clayton Glidewell named […]
Recent rains slightly improve drought situation in Missouri
Rain in recent days has improved drought conditions although many counties in northern Missouri remain in extreme or exceptional drought this week. The Missouri drought map released Thursday morning reflects those conditions as of Tuesday. During a one week period, Trenton has received two and three quarters inches of rain. (August 14 through 21) All […]
Jamesport Junior Livestock Show announces winners of the beef and swine divisions
A Bethany resident, Wyatt Ellis, received the Frank Nowland Memorial Award at the Jamesport Junior Livestock Show. The award is presented to an individual for the outstanding livestock display at the fair and is based on showmanship, quality of animals, and the component sportsmanship and conduct. Blaine Landes of Jamesport won the Randy Minnick Memorial Award […]
Small grain crops seeded this fall replace dry pastures for cow herds
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, […]
Drought continues as beef farmers plan on fall rains to make winter pasture
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 […]
University of Missouri equine clinician offers advice on respiratory disease
Rhodococcus equi is a bacterial organism found in dry and dusty soil in horse environments that can cause pneumonia in young foals. A zoonotic disease, Rhodococcus equi can also infect people who are immunocompromised, such as HIV-AIDS patients. Philip Johnson, a professor of equine internal medicine in the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, […]
Drought cuts pasture growth; farmers face culling cow herds
In dry weather with short pastures, Missouri cow-herd owners face tough culling decisions. One way to match cows’ needs to available grass is to sell cows. Give careful thought to which grass eaters go first, says Eric Bailey, University of Missouri Extension beef nutritionist. Under drought stress, identifying those cows becomes urgent. The first cut is […]
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 […]
The “Silent Crisis” for America’s farmers
We rarely think of those in the farming community dealing with the silent crisis, however, farming is a crap shoot. There are no guarantees in farming, with daily costs to run a farm continually on the rise, add to the mix weather that is unpredictable and the stress at times can be almost insurmountable. With […]
Cool-season pastures start regrowth with arrival of warm-weather rains
Cool-season grasses such as fescue that dominate pasture grass in Missouri need warm weather to grow. The coldest April since 1907 set back forage for Missouri’s beef cow herds. Now, warm weather with rain creates forage for grazing and haying, said forage specialist Craig Roberts in a weekly University of Missouri Extension teleconference. New grass […]
FFDD to attend fishing event
The Families and Friends of the Developmentally Disabled of Grundy County will provide transportation and supervision for fishing activities as an educational/vocational program. The fishing event will be held at the North Central Missouri College Barton Farm Campus of Trenton June 3rd from 4:30 in the afternoon to 7:30 at night. The event will include […]