Farm & Agriculture

Test cornstalks for nitrates before feeding

WARSAW, Mo. – 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...

Farm tour shows how shade improves profits, cow comfort

Cattle producers can learn how to improve profits by using natural shade in their operations during an Oct. 10 tour of the Mingo cow-calf operation in St. James. The tour shows how producer Brian Tomazi uses shade to improve cow comfort and profits. His integrated system uses timber, forages and...

Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst made the following statement today on President Trump’s announcement of a successful trade negotiation with Mexico:

“Missouri farmers, and particularly Missouri corn and pork producers, received very good news today as the Trump Administration announced a successful conclusion to trade negotiations with Mexico. “Although we are happy that progress is being made, there is still much work to do to restore and open...

2018 drought differs from 2012 in varied impact, says MU economist

Scattered rains brought slight improvements this past week in a drought affecting most of the state. In his weekly “Drought Picture,” University of Missouri economist Scott Brown tracks dry weather severity for farmers. “This drought is more varied than the last drought,” Brown said. “Within the...

Blaine Kemna of St. Elizabeth, Mo., was born with hydrocephalus, a condition that causes water to put pressure on the brain. He continues to farm and raise Gelbvieh cattle with assistance from the Missouri AgrAbility Project and partners.

Agency partnerships help cattle farmer with hydrocephalus

ST. ELIZABETH, Mo. – Despite 26 surgeries, 47-year-old Blaine Kemna farms every day. He remains an independent farmer and works with the Missouri AgrAbility Project and its partners. Kemna was born with hydrocephalus, a condition that causes water to put pressure on the brain. University of...

MU Extension's Fire and Rescue Training Institute will showcase grain engulfment safety at the Missouri State Fair from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, at the Mathewson Exhibition Center in the blacksmith area. MU Extension offers numerous hands-on exhibits in the Agriculture Building throughout the fair. MU FRTI file photo.

MU Extension offers farm safety exhibits at State Fair

SEDALIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension Fire and Rescue Training Institute (MU FRTI) will showcase grain bin safety at the Missouri State Fair from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, at the Mathewson Exhibition Center in the blacksmith area. FRTI and MU Extension Farm Safety and Health...

Caldwell County is authorized for emergency haying and grazing use of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres for fiscal year 2018.

USDA Authorizes Emergency Haying and Grazing of Conservation Reserve Program Acres for Caldwell County

(Kingston, MO), July 16, 2018 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Debbie Clevenger today announced that Caldwell County is authorized for emergency haying and grazing use of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres for fiscal year 2018. FSA's fiscal...

Now is the time to elect county committee members.

Caldwell County Producers Have Until Aug. 1 to Submit FSA County Committee Nominations

Kingston, MO, July 25, 2018 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director for Caldwell County, Debbie Clevenger, today reminded farmers and ranchers that they have until Aug. 1, 2018, to nominate eligible candidates to serve on local FSA county committees...

University of Missouri Extension plant pathologist Kaitlyn Bissonnette shows soybean farmers how to scout for disease during a recent scouting school. Photo by Linda Geist.

MU Extension plant pathologist: Don’t treat all soybean diseases with fungicides

Not all soybean diseases require a fungicide application, says University of Missouri Extension plant pathologist Kaitlyn Bissonnette. Knowing if and when to spray fungicides saves money and reduces concerns about fungicide resistance, Bissonnette says. She shares information about soybean diseases...

Drilling wheat, cereal rye or oats can provide forage.

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...