On top of dealing with harsh winter weather in feeding cows, cattle farmers must guard against too much nitrate in poor-quality hay. “Just from cases we’ve confirmed, I know of 150 cows dying in the last month,” says Tim Evans, head toxicologist at the University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. High nitrate, mostly concentrated in […]
The Missouri Department of Corrections has announced a new plan that, if approved by the General Assembly, will help address two chronic department issues: a staffing shortage and low employee wages. The department plans to consolidate Crossroads Correctional Center (CRCC) and Western Missouri Correctional Center (WMCC), both in Cameron, Missouri. The plan calls for moving […]
Do the math on temperatures and rainfall for all of 2018. On average, you get “near normal,” says Pat Guinan, University of Missouri Extension climatologist. “Weather was anything but that,” Guinan adds. Record-setting numbers hide in an average. For starters, look at the “non-spring” of 2018. April was the second coldest on record going back […]
Heifer prices kept going up in the fifth of six fall sales of Show-Me-Select replacement heifers, December 7th. The 74 head averaged $2,334 with the previous high being $2,099 on 64 head at Fruitland, Mo. “Heifer quality was top-notch.” said Kendra Graham, the sale coordinator, “Buyer turnout was high and they were willing to pay […]
Wintering cows in a year with bad hay or shortages of hay proves challenging to beef farmers with the prolonged drought last summer upsetting haymaking plans. Beef nutritionist Eric Bailey, University of Missouri Extension, answered farmers’ questions December 2nd at the Missouri Livestock Symposium in Kirksville. His topic: “Winter Feeding With Expensive Hay.” Less hay can […]
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway released an audit of the City of Greenville, which found more than $160,000 missing from city funds. The audit was initiated as a part of a law enforcement investigation, which resulted in criminal charges filed by the Attorney General’s Office this summer. Greenville is located in Wayne County in southeast […]
With a strong start on bidding, the first lot of heifers averaged $2,250 at the Kingsville Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer sale, November 24. Big bidding set the stage for higher prices early in the sale of 237 head of bred heifers. Final average was $1,832. The sale at the Kingsville Livestock Auction topped the two previous […]
At the Kirksville Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer sale, 133 heifers averaged $1,716. It wasn’t the strong sale expected, said Zac Erwin, sale coordinator. A lot of things worked against bidder enthusiasm. “I was hoping for a stronger market,” Erwin said after the sale Friday night, Nov. 16. “But it wasn’t a bust by any means.” The […]
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 […]
The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage and urgently needs blood donors to give now to avoid delays in lifesaving medical care for patients. Volunteer blood drive hosts are also critically needed to prevent the shortage from worsening this winter. During September and October, the Red Cross collected over 21,000 fewer blood […]
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 […]
New numbers show state revenues are picking up, but there’s still a 3.2 percent shortage to the state’s bottom line in the current fiscal year. Missouri Budget Director Dan Haug says typically the shortfall would lead to a cut in state services. The Missouri Department of Revenue is redoing tax tables because it’s […]
A state audit has found the former Callaway County Collector in mid-Missouri has stolen more than 300,000-dollars from the Collector’s office since 2016. Galloway says Pam Oestreich has been stealing county money since 2016. Presiding Commissioner Gary Jungermann says a state audit has found that Oestreich used a shell game to […]
(Missourinet) – About 16,000 children and 4,000 parents fell off the Medicaid rolls in Missouri between June and July, the biggest drop-off in over a decade. A shortage of 150 workers at the program’s outsourced call center is being blamed as part of the problem. State Medicaid Oversight Committee Chairman Tim McBribe thinks low wages at […]
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway has released a report claiming government red tape is creating a shortage of services for domestic violence victims. The audit shows more than 28,000 requests for shelter went unmet in 2017. Galloway notes that Missouri turns away a higher percentage of victims from domestic violence shelters than five surrounding states. […]
Drought was the main topic of interest during the annual Forage Systems Research Center field day, which took place on Tuesday, Sept. 11. The event featured eight speakers, the majority of whom were focused on showcasing ways farmers and producers could deal with the drought-like conditions across a good portion of Missouri. Not only did […]
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is awarding almost $1 million to help eight community water systems in northwest Missouri counties hardest hit by drought. The department made this emergency funding available in response to Governor Parson’s Executive Order No 18-05. The funding will assist with construction projects intended to ensure drought-impacted small communities are able […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
