Farm & Agriculture

MU Boar Stud Management Conference set for Aug. 3-4 in St. Louis

The fifth Boar Stud Managers Conference (BSMC) will be held Aug. 3-4 in St. Louis. In the 1990s, producers quickly embraced artificial insemination (AI) of hogs, but most of the training offered focused on sows and gilts. “We found that as AI became popular, more semen came out of studs,” says Tim...

NRCS Program Focuses on Improving Monarch Butterfly Habitat

(COLUMBIA, MO) March 21, 2016 -- The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is providing funds across 10 states, including Missouri, for financial and technical assistance through the Monarch Butterfly Habitat Development Project. Missouri farmers, ranchers and landowners can apply for...

Craig Roberts, University of Missouri Extension forage specialist

Nitrogen added for grass growth boosts toxin levels in old fescue

Source: Craig Roberts, 573-882-0481 COLUMBIA, Mo. – Nitrogen makes grass grow. Spreading fertility produces more pounds of forage, which cows convert to protein: beef and milk. Adding nitrogen to pastures would be a no-brainer, except for toxic tall fescue. “I get lots of calls in spring asking how...

“Fescue cattle” retain their winter hair into summer.

Profits, pride in pasture remakes with new novel endophyte fescues

Source: Craig Roberts, 573-882-0481 COLUMBIA, Mo. – Beef producers take pride in their cattle. When replacing toxic-fescue pastures, they can take pride in grass, says an extension forage specialist. Novel-endophyte fescues make cattle perform and look better, says Craig Roberts of the University...

Antibiotic regulations and beef cattle reproduction research to be discussed at March 14 meeting in Smithville

Two timely and important topics will be addressed at an upcoming meeting for beef cattle producers in Smithville on March 14. Regulations regarding the use of certain antibiotics in livestock production will bring significant changes to producers and others in the livestock industry. These changes...

Learn the latest technological developments in pork production.

Registration opens for MU Pork Institute

Source: Marcia Shannon, 573-882-7859 COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri is taking applications for the 2016 Pork Institute, June 13-15 in Columbia. MU Extension specialists will teach the latest technological developments in pork production to 15 students who want to be leaders in the...

MU cattle protocols help calving ease, add quality

FORSYTH, Mo. – Beef calves born early in the calving season are worth more. Ranch records show those economics. Research from the University of Missouri Thompson Farm shows how to get more calves born early in the season. Dave Patterson, MU Extension beef specialist, told that story to Taney County...

Livestock producers need to prepare for veterinary feed directive

Source: Craig Payne, 573-882-8236 COLUMBIA, Mo. – The clock is ticking for livestock producers as new Food and Drug Administration rules go into effect in December governing all feed-grade and water-soluble antibiotics that are considered medically important. Producers will need a veterinary feed...

Caldwell County Producers Urged to Consider Risk Protection Coverage before Spring Crop Sales Deadline

Kingston, MO, February 23, 2016 – Caldwell County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Debbie Clevenger, reminds producers to review available USDA crop risk protection options, including federal crop insurance and Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage, before the...

De-Icing Salt Can Harm Landscape Plants

Each winter, vast quantities of de-icing salt are applied to state and municipal roads to keep them safe for commuters, and salt is spread near houses to avoid pedestrian injuries. This is necessary for safety, but did you know excessive salt can cause widespread damage to trees and shrubs -...