New MU guide looks at silage breakeven price
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension recently released an updated cost analyzer to help farmers estimate the breakeven price to justify harvesting corn as silage rather than grain.“Frequently, corn harvested for silage was planted for harvest as a grain crop,” says Joe Horner, an MU Extension agricultural business and policy specialist. Reasons for this change can include feed needs as well as drought and other events that…
It pays to know what your farm liability insurance covers
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Without regular policy checks, farm liability insurance might be like a hospital gown – not enough coverage where you need it most.Thoroughly read your policy regularly and check for gaps and needed updates, says University of Missouri Extension economist Ray Massey. “Planning is important, but even the best plans do not always succeed in managing risk,” he says.
Know youth labor laws before hiring your summer staff
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As the school year ends, you can expect young people to start applying for summer jobs. For agricultural employers, these young workers can provide extra capacity at a time when farms and agribusinesses often have more work than they have employees to get that work done.
Missouri farm income saw large increase in 2020 despite pandemic
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Large government payments helped 2020 Missouri net farm income match or exceed the 2014 record of $3.4 billion, according to Abigail Meffert, senior research associate with the University of Missouri Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI).
Missouri land values continue to grow
COLUMBIA, Mo. – All classes of Missouri land values grew steadily in the past year, according to the University of Missouri Extension’s annual survey of farmers, rural appraisers and agricultural lenders.Ray Massey, MU Extension agricultural economics professor, heads the survey efforts.
Value of farm business plan shows when death or illness strikes
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The value of a farm business plan becomes clear when family members need to get on the same page or when sudden illness strikes, says Joe Horner, University of Missouri Extension agricultural economist.A farm’s business plan formalizes what is in owners’ heads, Horner says. Writing a farm business plan forces family owners to think things through and agree on goals.
Five steps to pass the farm to the next generation
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Farm succession planning should not begin when the head of the family dies, says Wesley Tucker, University of Missouri Extension agricultural economist and succession planning coordinator.Too often, planning starts the day after the funeral, Tucker says. In addition to straining family relationships, this also increases the likelihood that the next generation will fail.
Study maps future workforce demands of state’s No. 1 economic driver: agriculture industries
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Over the next decade, Missouri’s food, agriculture and forestry industries are projected to generate 13,000 job openings each year. Deliberate statewide planning and action will ensure a globally competitive workforce for employers in these industries that are foundational to Missouri’s economy.
MU Soil and Plant Testing Lab still open and serving Missouri agriculture
COLUMBIA, Mo. – For now, the University of Missouri Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory remains open.“We understand the essential role the lab plays in supporting Missouri's agricultural industry,” said Robert Kallenbach, MU Extension senior program director for agriculture and environment. “If we can continue to operate safely, the MU Soil Testing Laboratory in Columbia will continue to accept samples.”
Quality county roads aid agriculture; broadband could do the same
There is a lot of talk about the importance of affordable and high-quality broadband Internet access in rural America. While on the Greene County Commission Ag tour Sept. 25, 2019, one farm family shared about how the lack of broadband negatively impacts their farm.One could say that broadband is the new “road” for agriculture and has the potential to change life on the farm nearly as much as electricity did in the early part of the…
Dicamba labels and regulations
Following EPA and state pesticide labels and regulations is important for liability concerns. Most business general liability insurance coverages do not cover illegal activities. If the label is not followed, it may impact the coverage a business has for causing damage to another person’s property. To aid farmers and businesses in complying with pesticide regulations, educational information on EPA and state regulations are summarized…
Dicamba injury and insurance
Dicamba can cause injury to off-target plants, leading to third-party injury claims that involve business liability insurance plans. Third-party injury is when the actions of one person affect another person.
Third-party injury and federal crop insurance
Multi-peril crop insurance is overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agencies. For row crop producers, the most common multi-peril crop policies purchased are revenue protection and yield protection. Both of these insurance products use the insured farmer’s actual yields in determining the level of indemnity, if any, to be paid.
Professional liability insurance
Perhaps the best-known type of professional liability insurance is malpractice insurance carried by medical professionals. Professional liability insurance carried by other professionals, such as accountants and architects, is frequently called errors and omissions insurance. Professional liability insurance is intended to covers lawsuits arising from professional services.
Water availability
Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report
Impact of major weather events
Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report
Atrazine detects in surface water
Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report
Farmer participation in conservation programs
Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report
Precision ag tools
Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report
Biotechnology use and adoption of GE crops
Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report
Tillage practices
Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report
Fertilizer usage and efficiency
Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report
Chemical and pesticide use
Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report
Irrigation and water use efficiency
Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report