Farm & Agriculture

Tightening profit margins mean farmers must control costs

Higher production costs and lower commodity prices mean farmers must control costs more carefully than ever, says University of Missouri Extension agricultural economist Ray Massey. Land, seed and fertilizer are the largest production costs for row crop operations. “If you can lower these costs by...

January-February is a good time for wheat growers to review management decisions. Photo by Tyler Mudd.

Now is good time to respond to wheat stages

January and February are good months to make wheat management decisions, according to a University of Missouri Extension agronomist in southeastern Missouri. Wheat maturity does not follow a calendar. Instead, wheat development depends on weather and planting date, says Anthony Ohmes. Wheat’s...

New irrigation app from MU Extension helps increase yields

Farmers using irrigation will benefit from a new University of Missouri Extension web application. MU Extension agronomist Gene Stevens says producers can register for the free Crop Water Use (CWU) web app at www.cropwater.org. In several watersheds in Missouri, the application will help growers...

Last Show-Me-Select fall sale tops average prices at $2,054

PALMYRA, Mo. – The last sale of the year for Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifers averaged $2,054 on 240 head. That topped six fall sales of spring-calving heifers. Bidders packed the barn at F&T Livestock Market, Palmyra, starting the first lot at $2,000, a price that became common. Early, a pen...

USDA Announces Streamlined Guaranteed Loans and Additional Lender Category for Small-Scale Operators

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the availability of a streamlined version of USDA guaranteed loans, which are tailored for smaller scale farms and urban producers. The program, called EZ Guarantee Loans, uses a simplified application process to...

Crop Management Conference, Dec. 15-16, in Columbia reviews problems, looks ahead

The annual Crop Management Conference offers time to learn from the past and plan for the coming year. The 2016 event, held Dec. 15-16, offers many lessons, says Kevin Bradley, University of Missouri plant scientist and program planner. The event will be held at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in...

Be on the lookout for Palmer amaranth during harvest

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Harvest is a good time to scout for potential 2017 weed problems, says University of Missouri Extension weed scientist Kevin Bradley. Combines give a bird’s-eye view of problem spots. Most farmers make note of areas where weeds survived treatment. Palmer amaranth continues to be the...

Learn about producing quality milk at free event, Nov. 2 at MU dairy farm

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri dairy farmers can receive updates on how to produce quality milk at a free Nov. 2 event at University of Missouri Foremost Dairy Research Center west of Columbia. MU Extension veterinarian Scott Poock said there would be four interactive learning stations. Attendees can...

Caldwell County FSA Acreage Reporting Dates for 2017

(Kingston, MO) – October 18, 2016 - Caldwell County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Debbie Clevenger announced that producers who file accurate and timely reports for all crops and land uses on all the tracts under their FSA farm, including failed acreage, can prevent the...

USDA Issues Safety-Net Payments to Missouri Farmers in Response to 2015 Market Downturn

Oct. 7, 2016 – USDA Missouri Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Mark Cadle, announced that many of the approximately 73,000 Missouri farms enrolled in safety-net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill will receive financial assistance for the 2015 crop year. The programs, known as...