Tight labor market challenges farm employers to rethink compensation
PARIS, Mo. – Today’s tight labor market makes it harder for farm employers to compete for workers, says Ryan Milhollin, University of Missouri Extension agricultural economist.
Why Agriculture is Important for Everyone to Understand
Why would the average resident of southwest Missouri want to read about agriculture?For starters, we need to be knowledgeable about the sources of our food and fiber products. Surveys continue to show that most Americans no little about their food or fiber sources.This lack of knowledge about agriculture can affect public policy that directly impacts producers and consumers. That means having an agriculturally literate society is…
MU videos share cattle management practices in drought
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Drought continues to plague growers and livestock producers in parts of Missouri, especially in the southwest corner of the state, raising concerns about feed availability.“It’s a perfect storm of high fertilizer prices, reduced fertilization of pastures lending to lower hay yields and drought in the southern half of Missouri,” said Eric Bailey, University of Missouri Extension state beef specialist. “Folks are eating…
October Farm Management News and Notes from MU Extension
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As the harvest season is underway, make time to work on your farm business to set it up for success next year. Fall is an excellent time to update your farm’s short-term operating plan, make pasture investments, check to see if you are in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and differentiate between family and business roles.Make a short-term operating plan
Off-farm income crucial to many ag producers
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Farm households increasingly rely on off-farm income. A report from University of Missouri Extension notes that, on average, 82% of farm household income comes from outside the farm.More than half of the principal operators of farms have primary jobs off the farm, said Alan Spell, MU assistant extension professor and a co-author of the report.
MU Extension guide shows how cover crops can benefit pollinators, wildlife
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension recently released guidelines for managing cover crops to benefit pollinators and wildlife.
September farm management news and notes from MU Extension
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A farm’s approach to marketing often affects whether the operation has the potential to sustain itself for the long term. These farm management news and notes from University of Missouri Extension will help you choose products and product features to market, educate buyers about the purchase process and navigate product pricing.Weigh harvesting corn for grain or silage
August farm management news and notes from MU Extension
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Farms constantly adapt to become more productive and successful. As you reflect on farm activities through this summer, consider these news and notes from University of Missouri Extension. They can help you keep your farm safe and plan a profitable, sustainable future.Avoid summer forage slump with native warm-season grasses
MU guide looks at reconsidering silage pricing
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Drought throughout much of Missouri has renewed interest in how to price silage. An updated University of Missouri Extension publication looks at silage costs and revenues.
How to buy meat directly from the farm
COLUMBIA, Mo. – One option for consumers buying meat is to purchase directly from the producer. A new University of Missouri Extension publication offers guidelines for buying all or part of animal from a livestock producer and having the meat processed and packaged.
MU Extension guide helps farmers with replant decisions
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Challenging weather has forced Missouri farmers to make difficult decisions on whether to replant crops because of sparse stands or delayed planting.
MU Extension guide, spreadsheet help estimate farmland values
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Buyers and sellers who need an estimate of the value of a piece of farmland may not always find it feasible to get an appraisal, particularly one that reflects the land’s historical value needed to calculate taxes and settle estates.
Farm management news and notes from MU Extension
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Farm work in Missouri has hit its stride. The following news and notes from University of Missouri Extension can help you keep yourself, your farm and your family and business relationships healthy during this demanding time of year.Gauge a fair rate to pay for custom farm servicesKnowing whether to own farm equipment or hire a custom operator to apply pesticides or other inputs often comes down to cost.
Wheatlage or grain? New decision tool helps find the 'sweet spot'
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new tool helps farmers decide the breakeven price for wheatlage compared to harvesting their wheat as grain.
Planting progress shifts in warmer, drier weather
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Warmer and drier weather is expected to help farmers make solid planting progress this week.Normally, corn planting advances about 17 percentage points this week to 67% complete by May 15, says Martyn Foreman, University of Missouri Extension instructor in agricultural economics. “While corn planting progress is unlikely to reach the average next week, the gap should narrow significantly.”
Missouri farm income to set new records in 2022
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri farm income appears on pace for another record year, according to John Kruse, associate research and extension professor in agricultural and applied economics at the University of Missouri.
Evaluating costs and benefits of renovating endophyte-infected pastures
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Nearly 98% of Missouri’s pastureland is tall fescue infected with an endophyte that can cause fescue toxicosis in grazing livestock. Fescue toxicosis lowers reproduction rates, milk production, gain and weaning weights. It also causes health problems, including lameness and heat stress.By replacing toxic fescue with other forages, producers eliminate animal exposure to the harmful endophyte. You can start the process…
Co-grazing: Diversification could boost farm profits
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Have you ever considered diversifying production on the farm?Producing beef cattle and meat goats on the same farm may improve your financials, says University of Missouri Extension agricultural business specialist Jennifer Lutes.Lutes developed a model that looks at the economics of co-grazing – a diversification strategy involving production of more than one livestock species on the same farm.
Adding value to farm commodities can ease supply chain strain
COLUMBIA, Mo. – For two years, shoppers have seen how supply chain problems can shock the food system. Initially triggered by the pandemic, these problems have persisted due to labor shortages, transportation bottlenecks and now international conflict.
MU Extension publication, website guide farm families during short-term absences
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new University of Missouri Extension publication and related online tool can guide farmers through the difficult task of keeping the farm running when the owner or key decision-maker cannot.When someone becomes ill or incapacitated, family members often struggle with finding key information, says MU Extension agricultural business and policy specialist Mary Sobba.
Survey finds Missouri land values increased across the board in 2021
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Landowners who purchased Missouri property in 2021 paid more for land than buyers who purchased land in 2020, according to the latest Missouri Farmland Values Opinion Survey report from University of Missouri Extension.
Make a plan when marketing this year's grain crop
COLUMBIA, Mo. – “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” Crop farmers should take this adage to heart when marketing their grain, advises University of Missouri Extension agricultural economist Martyn Foreman. “If you haven’t already developed a post-harvest grain marketing plan, then now’s the time,” says Foreman. “By outlining a grain marketing plan, producers have a better chance to boost the returns they earn from the large…
Four Farms in Greene County Honored with Century Farm Status Sept. 13 Including One Founded in 1839
Four family farms in Greene County were honored with Century Farm status on Sept. 13 at the Greene County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting held at the Sac River Event Center west of Springfield. Farm owners were presented with an official fence sign and certificate from the University of Missouri and official proclamations from Greene County presented by Commissioners Bob Dixon and John Russell.
Greene County Commission Hosts Fifth Annual County Agriculture Tour Sept. 3
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Members of the Greene County Commission hosted the fifth annual Greene County Commission Ag Tour on Friday, Sept. 13.The tour was made possible through a partnership with the University of Missouri Extension.The tour departed from the Commission offices at the Cox North Tower at 8:30 a.m. and visited four sites on the east side of the county that are uniquely impactful to agriculture in the county.
Missouri meat, poultry processors receive $16.7 million in grants with help from MU Extension partnership
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Nearly empty meat aisles are a burden producers, processors and consumers don’t want to face again. To prevent that, the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) awarded $16.7 million to keep 150 meat and poultry processors throughout Missouri going strong.