Farm & Agriculture

Missouri's white oak forests provide wood for more than 1.5 million barrels annually for some of the most prestigious wineries and distilleries in the U.S. and abroad, notes MU Extension forester Hank Stelzer. Photo by Linda Geist.

MU Extension holds second spirits industry tour

Source: Hank Stelzer, 573-882-4444 COLUMBIA, Mo. – Openings remain for the second annual University of Missouri Extension White Oak, Whiskey and Wine Tour on Saturday, Oct. 13. The all-day tour toasts the state’s unique contributions to the wine and whiskey industries. MU Extension forester Hank...

Workshop on warm-season grasses and cost-share programs on July 31.

MU Extension, NRCS offer warm-season grass workshop

University of Missouri Extension and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service offer an evening workshop on warm-season grasses and cost-share programs on July 31. The pasture tour begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Ron Locke farm near Buffalo. MU Extension agronomy specialists Terry Halleran and Pat...

Taking the time to check the moisture content before harvesting could save a lot of trouble later.

Making Silage from Drought Damaged Corn

Drought has damaged corn in many areas. Growers should examine fields for grain potential. Corn fields and even some irrigated fields have suffered severe drought or heat damage. Silage can salvage this crop, but some harvest modifications may be needed. Most of the green, low grain corn is too...

Friendly weeds may prove welcome this year.

Drought stays as beef farmers plan on fall rains to make winter pasture

Stunted, stemmy pastures unable to support grazing cattle have potential. Depend 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...

Managed grazing systems among the most profitable dairy farms.

Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship offers opportunities

MOUNTAIN GROVE, Mo. – Five to 10 percent of dairy farms close each year, in part because of a lack of skilled laborers, says University of Missouri Extension dairy specialist Ted Probert. To help the dairy industry survive, a national nonprofit organization has created an apprenticeship program to...

Ag economist surveys farmers for 2018 cash-rent guide

Landowners and land renters can help their neighbors by filling out a survey on their cash-rent rates. Ray Massey, University of Missouri Extension economist, Columbia, seeks responses to an online survey. This is something new for the MU guide, which is updated every three years. Respondents...

Our mission is to promote pride and interest in agriculture.

Women In Ag Event

Maysville/Gallatin Mo. – Make plans to attend the fourth annual Women in Ag Event on Thursday, September 20, 2018, hosted by the DeKalb and Daviess County Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), MU Extension and Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). The...

Farm Service Agency County Committee Nomination Period in Caldwell County Began June 15

(Kingston, MO), June 26, 2018 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) encourages America’s farmers and ranchers to nominate candidates to lead, serve and represent their community on their local county committee. According to USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) Caldwell County Executive Director...

Comments from Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst

Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst made the following statement upon the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of the 2018 farm bill:

“Farming is unpredictable, and the huge costs of doing business can be lost in a single storm or lack thereof. The farm bill has helped farmers manage these risks for decades so we can survive the bad years and continue to feed, clothe and fuel the world. “Keeping a strong crop insurance program...

Drought cuts pasture growth

Source: Eric Bailey, 573-884-7873 COLUMBIA, Mo. – 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...