Farm & Agriculture

Farm tax workshops set for November

University of Missouri Extension will offer a free farm tax workshop in November at locations throughout the state. This workshop explains major tax changes affecting farms and ranches that went into effect in December 2017. The workshops are 6:15-8:45 p.m. on Nov. 12 and Nov. 19. Extension...

Forage insurance gains users in big dry spells; deadline near

Crop insurance? Sure. Forage insurance? Not so much. Recent droughts and short hay crops brought attention to forage losses. Pasture, rangeland and forage (PRF) insurance started in 2009. But offerings didn’t attract many buyers until recent dry spells, says University of Missouri economist Ryan...

Managed pastures pay dollar returns using skills learned in grazing schools

Pastures grow green for farmers. When managed well, pastures add dollars to farms. University of Missouri economists report an added output of $125 million per year from using skills taught for management-intensive grazing (MiG) at grazing schools. “That’s annual impact, not cumulative,” says Craig...

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...