Farm & Agriculture

Farmers seek help from MU agronomists on dry weather impact on crops, forages

Newly made spring hay finally being baled in June may be toxic for cattle. Hold off on feeding new hay, says Craig Roberts, University of Missouri Extension forage specialist. The longer the hay can be stored after baling, the less toxic it becomes. Cow herd owners, hit by a lack of rain that...

University of Missouri veterinary students learned how to use a platemeter to calibrate forage cuttings. The hands-on training is part of an MU School of Veterinary Medicine production medicine class that combines classroom work with visits to dairy farms across the state. Photo courtesy of Stacey Hamilton.

MU vet students take research to dairy parlors and pastures

The University of Missouri veterinary students take campus research to parlors and pastures to help dairy farms improve. The MU School of Veterinary Medicine’s production medicine class is a popular elective, offering students two-way learning opportunities. Students share university research with...

Secretary Perdue announced the partnership today in Dallas, Texas.

USDA Partners with Texas A&M to Help Veterans Seeking Agriculture Loans and Careers

(Dallas, TX, May 31, 2018) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Texas A&M’s AgriLife Extension Service to help military veterans obtain loans and pursue careers as farmers and ranchers. Secretary Perdue...

USDA Resumes Continuous Conservation Reserve Program Enrollment

WASHINGTON, June 1, 2018 – As part of a 33-year effort to protect sensitive lands and improve water quality and wildlife habitat on private lands, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will resume accepting applications for the voluntary Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Eligible farmers,...

Several changes have been made to these two disaster programs.

USDA Reopens Application Period for Producers Recovering from Cattle Loss, Other Disasters

Signup Begins June 4 for Livestock Indemnity Program and Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-raised Fish WASHINGTON, May 31, 2018 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin accepting disaster assistance program applications on June 4 from agricultural producers who...

Rootless corn syndrome is one of two unusual conditions Missouri farmers might see this growing season because of May’s hot, dry weather. Photo courtesy of Bill Wiebold

State's hot, dry weather spells trouble for soybean, corn

Missouri’s record-breaking May heat and lack of precipitation set the stage for two unusual conditions in the state’s top cash crops—soybean and corn, says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Bill Wiebold. He urges farmers to look for rootless corn syndrome and heat canker in soybean,...

Spotted lanternfly. Photo courtesy of Penn State Extension.

Hitchhiking spotted lanternfly could become problem in Missouri

Source: Kevin Rice, 573-771-7386; Dean Volenberg, 573-882-0476 COLUMBIA, Mo. – An exotic pest that hitchhikes on train cars, trucks and boats could suck the life out Missouri crops. Spotted lanternfly has the potential to establish populations in Missouri, says University of Missouri Extension...

Dairy farmers gain margin protection before new farm bill passes Congress

COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new milk price safety net for dairy producers is in place. To take part farmers must rush to their local USDA farm service center. Milk producers must sign up for the first time or re-enroll by June 1, say University of Missouri Extension dairy economists. Most dairy farmers don’t...

Andrew McCorkill spoke at a recent MU Extension alfalfa tour.

Testing tells alfalfa's worth

by Linda Geist “Cows and horses think alfalfa looks like candy, smells like candy and tastes like candy,” says University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Andrew McCorkill. However, alfalfa’s proof is in the pudding. Not all hay that looks good is good hay. Not all good hay looks good....

Secretary Perdue Names FSA Administrator

(Washington, D.C., May 11, 2018) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today the appointment of Richard Fordyce to serve as Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA). In his role, Fordyce will provide leadership for FSA and its mission...