News | Agricultural Business and Policy Extension

Published May 12, 2021

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.

Published April 28, 2021

Increasing fruit, vegetable production can help double value of Missouri ag

Expanding fruit and vegetable production can boost farm income, create new market opportunities, and help strengthen Missouri’s agricultural economy.

Published March 26, 2021

Missouri farm income saw large increase in 2020 despite pandemic

Missouri's 2020 net farm income hit $3.4B, matching 2014's record, fueled by strong government payments and a late-year commodity price rebound.

Published January 28, 2021

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.

Published October 5, 2020

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.

Published October 1, 2020

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.

Published September 14, 2020

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.

Published April 8, 2020

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.”

Published September 16, 2019

Dicamba injury and insurance

Dicamba can harm neighboring plants, leading to third-party injury claims involving business liability insurance plans.

Published September 16, 2019

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.

Published September 16, 2019

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.

Published July 30, 2019