Farm & Agriculture

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 -...

USDA Sees Strong Demand for Conservation Reserve Program

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is reminding farmers and ranchers that the competitive sign-up deadline for its most popular voluntary conservation program, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), is Feb. 26, 2016. This will be one of the most competitive...

Junior top 10. Front row, from left: Addie Thomas, Kiley Braun, John Paul Quinn and Rose Quinn. Second row: Austin Mitchell, Alaina Link, Quincy Wiegand, Lyndsey Conley and Anya Cailleach. Back: Anne Marie Quinn.

4-H meats judging contest draws youth from across Missouri

Source: Shane Potter, 573-882-3835 COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension 4-H State Meats Judging contest on Feb. 6 drew 38 competing 4-H members. More than 50 FFA students also participated as practice for upcoming events, said Shane Potter, MU Extension 4-H youth development...

Holding meetings to discuss issues affecting Missouri cattle industry

Cattlemen, ranchers organization wants investigation into decline in cattle prices

Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund calls for Senate Judiciary Subcommittee to schedule hearing to investigate causes of late 2015 cattle price meltdown. Bill Bullard, CEO, R-CALF USA wants a formal hearing to determine — was it intentional manipulation of factors possibly by packers and or...

More Americans opting for butter over margarine

Growing demand for butter is boosting dairy industry

Source: Scott Brown, 573-882-3861 COLUMBIA, Mo. – The growing number of Americans opting for butter over margarine and other oils has given the U.S. dairy industry a much-needed boost. “That’s one of the reasons why milk prices didn’t decline more for dairy farmers in 2015,” says University of...

For many insects, insecticidal soaps can be safely used.

Insects and Houseplants

Here’s a Horticulture Tip from University of Missouri Extension: House plants can sometimes attract insect pests such as aphids or mealybugs. For many insects, insecticidal soaps can be safely sprayed on your houseplants to eliminate these pests. Mealybugs are easily killed by touching them with...