Farm & Agriculture

Storm Damage to Trees

In 2007, we had a major ice storm in our area, and I wrote a couple of columns on how to deal with storm damage to trees. While we have seen a lot of ice this winter, the damage to trees has not been that bad for the most part. But soon, spring will be here, and the potential for damaging winds may...

Cows at Foremost Dairy relax more since waterbeds were installed last year. The waterbeds offer better cow comfort, which leads to more milk production. Photo by Stacey Hamilton.

Cow water beds make for sweet dreams and more milk

Source: Scott Poock, 573-882-6359; Stacey Hamilton, 417-466-2148 COLUMBIA, Mo. – Water beds for cows improve comfort and milk production at the University of Missouri’s Foremost Dairy Research Center near Columbia. MU Extension veterinarian Scott Poock and dairy specialist Stacey Hamilton are part...

One Month Left to Apply for SBA Disaster Loans

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Director Tanya N. Garfield of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West today reminded small nonfarm businesses in Missouri counties and neighboring counties in Iowa and Kansas of the deadline dates to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan...

Farm Record Updates Ahead of 2019 Enrollments

Your Caldwell County FSA Staff would like to clean up our producer record database as we prepare for the 2019 crop year and a new Farm Bill. If you have any unreported change of address, zip code, phone number(s), email address, new entity, or an incorrect name or business name on file they need...

Test in spring for SCN, soybean's silent killer

Source: Kaitlyn Bissonnette, 573-882-3001 COLUMBIA, Mo. – Test for soybean cyst nematode (SCN) in the spring before planting, says University of Missouri Extension plant pathologist Kaitlyn Bissonnette. Data from MU researchers shows SCN field populations are becoming more virulent on commercial...

Reseeding toxic fescue takes time but cuts big losses for beef farmers

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Toxin-free fescue gives long-term high gains, says Craig Roberts, University of Missouri Extension pasture specialist. He believes novel-endophyte tall fescue deserves first place in every livestock grazing farm. Added value comes from better animal growth and fewer death losses....

High nitrate in hay causes cow deaths

COLUMBIA, Mo. – 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...

Food Manufacturing Could Bring Additional $25 Billion to Missouri

A new study soon to be released by the University of Missouri and agriculture industry partners including Missouri Farm Bureau finds that Missouri has the capability to grow the impact of its food and agriculture industry by over $25 billion in the next eight years. Dean Chris Daubert of the...

Trick your cows into calving in daylight hours

MOUNT VERNON, Mo. – Producers who want more cows and heifers calving in daylight hours should try to delay putting out hay and cubes until late in the day. “It may sound like an old wives’ tale, but it works and has unbiased research behind it,” said Eldon Cole, a livestock specialist with...

Ag Update Meetings

Every year, Extension agricultural specialists in the Northwest Region conduct meetings that we call “Ag Updates”. These are held in almost all of the counties in our region. The idea behind these meetings is to provide another place for pesticide applicators to obtain or renew their Private...