The following publications cover topics related to Agricultural Business and Policy Extension. For a complete list of MU Extension publications, visit the main Publications page.
Missouri Farmland Values
Revised
Find farmland values for Missouri and its counties from USDA since 1959. Learn methods of estimating historical county values for years not reported.
Buying Meat Direct From the Farm
Revised
Learn how to buy meat directly from a farm, what questions to consider, and how to interpret a cut sheet and price sheet.
Farmland Values for Midwestern States
Revised
Find farmland value price trends in Missouri and other Midwestern states since 1912.
Break-even Pricing, Revenue and Units
Revised
Learn how to calculate break-even price, revenue, and unit sales for value-added agricultural products.
Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) Insurance
Revised
See how LRP insurance helps farmers manage market price volatility risk. Missouri producers may apply for feeder cattle, fed cattle, lamb and swine policies.
Missouri Grazing Manual
Reviewed $20
Learn how soil, forages and animals interact in grazing systems, and get ideas for improving pasture quality and extending the grazing season for beef or dairy.
Blueberry Planning Budget
New
Use this enterprise budget to estimate the on-farm costs and returns from growing blueberries in a u-pick commercial operation in Missouri.
Missouri Farmers Market Reported Prices: 2025 Summary
New
2025 Missouri farmers market annual price report summary of statewide, urban and rural markets; direct-marketed beef, pork, chicken, fruit and vegetables.
Managing Farm Equipment Ownership Costs
New
Learn about the factors contributing to fixed farm equipment cost and techniques to minimize fixed costs on your operation.
Pasture Fence Construction Budget
Revised
Use the breakdown of the costs of newly constructed pasture fencing in this guide to estimate fence construction costs before starting a fencing project.
Missouri Chinese Chestnut Planning Budget
Revised
Learn about the chestnut production system and the economics of growing Chinese chestnuts on a small scale.
Strip-Grazing Milo as a Low-Cost Winter Forage
Reviewed
Learn how to utilize strip-grazing milo as a cost-effective winter forage option for livestock, reducing feed expenses and enhancing pasture management.
Custom Rates for Farm Services in Missouri
Revised
Get custom service rates for fieldwork, planting, fertilizer, crop harvesting, hauling and heavy equipment activities from a survey of farmers, agribusinesses and contractors.
Farm Liability Insurance
Revised
Learn how to manage risk and protect your farm with liability insurance. Understand who is covered, what damages are covered and general liability insurance exclusions.
Planning for an Aquaculture Business in Missouri
Reviewed
Learn how to start and manage aquaculture businesses in Missouri, including system types, species selection, and water quality tips.
Farmers Guide to the H-2A Visa Program
Revised
This guide to the H-2A Agricultural Guest Worker Program details eligibility, application steps, and resources for Missouri agricultural employers.
Evaluating Direct-to-Consumer Marketing Opportunities for Local Beef in Missouri
Revised
Explore strategies for Missouri beef producers to market directly to consumers, including selling by the cut or in shares, to enhance profitability.
Introduction to Hedging Agricultural Commodities With Options
Reviewed
Learn how agricultural producers can use commodity options to manage price volatility and reduce financial risk in their operations.
Long Hedge Example With Futures
Reviewed
Learn how to place a long hedge in the futures market to reduce the price risk associated with buying an input in this guide for farmers and agribusinesses.
Short Hedge Example With Options
Reviewed
Learn how to place an output (short) hedge in the options market to reduce price risk when selling a product or commodity produced by your farm or business.
Agricultural Commodity Futures Contract Specifications
Reviewed
Farmers and agribusinesses, learn about commodity exchange markets and contract specifications for selected farm commodities common to Missouri in this guide.
Commodity Futures and Options Terminology
Revised
Check out this glossary of commodity futures and options keywords and their definitions to broaden your understanding of agricultural commodities markets.
Short Hedge Example With Futures
Reviewed
Learn how to place a short hedge in the futures market to lock in a price when selling a farm product or commodity that will be delivered in the future.
Introduction to Hedging Agricultural Commodities With Futures
Reviewed
Hedging farm commodities in the futures market can reduce producers' price and production risk. Learn about hedging, hedging costs and when to hedge.
An Introduction to Basis
Reviewed
Discover how agricultural commodity basis applies to crops and livestock and affects your farm's production, forward pricing, hedging and storage decisions.