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.
Introduction to Local Food Systems
Revised
Learn how to create rural and urban local food systems that are profitable and sustainable, connect farms to consumers and support the community and economy.
Establishing and Managing Cover Crops in Missouri for Wildlife and Pollinator Benefits
New
Learn how to establish and manage cover crops in Missouri to improve soil, attract wildlife, and support pollinators year-round.
Pricing Corn Silage
Revised
Learn how to price corn silage whether it's in the field or delivered to storage or the feed bunk, and see how drought can damage a corn silage crop.
Clarifying Roles in Family Farm Businesses
New
Strong family businesses communicate to separate their family roles and expectations from business roles. Read about common family business conflicts and find steps to address tension in this publication.
Short-Term Operating Plan for Farms and Ranches
Revised
Download a short-term operating plan workbook you can use to prepare your farm or ranch for operating if decision makers are unable to make short-term choices.
Drought-Related Issues in Forage, Silage and Baleage
Revised
Get answers to questions about how to feed livestock during drought. Read about nitrate toxicity, corn silage and baleage, forage grazing and feeding hay.
Days Suitable for Fieldwork in Missouri
Revised
Learn the number of days Missouri farms have available per week—due to weather and soil conditions—for tillage, planting, chemical application and harvest activities.
5 Steps to Buying Meat Direct From the Farm
New
If you are interested in buying meat from a local farmer, in quarters or halves, review these five considerations: how much meat your family can consume and what cuts to buy, sourcing an animal, finding a local meat processor, costs, and timing.
Missouri Farm Labor Guide
Revised
Learn good human resource practices related to employee recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training and termination that your farm or agribusiness can use.
Missouri Farm Tax Record: Part 1, Cash Paid-Cash Received
Reviewed $10
Farmers can use this simple Missouri farm tax recordkeeping system if they track yearly income and expenses for their agricultural operations on a cash basis.
Distributed Energy Resources: A Primer for Missouri Farmers
New
Major changes are occurring in how electricity is generated, distributed and used. Learn about this transition from centralized energy generation towards distributed energy generation and the potential impacts it will have for rural landowners.
Solving Wildlife Damage Problems in Missouri
Reviewed
Learn 10 methods that can prevent or reduce damage that wildlife can cause on your property, and see the components of a wildlife damage management program.
Pesticide Laws and Regulations
Revised
Learn about federal and Missouri pesticide rules, and see the steps to take to become a pesticide applicator and keep good records of when you use pesticides.
Worker Protection Standard Overview
Revised
Read about how the EPA’s Worker Protection Standard applies to agricultural pesticide use and what you as a farm employer must do to comply with the standard.
An Employer’s Guide to Worker Protection Standard Compliance
Revised
Learn terms used in EPA’s Worker Protection Standard, and read about duties the standard outlines for agricultural employers, workers and pesticide handlers.
Agricultural Owners, Family Labor and the Worker Protection Standard
Revised
Find out what the EPA’s Worker Protection Standard requires of family-owned agricultural establishments to keep your family safe from pesticide exposure.
An Introduction to Basis
Revised
Discover how agricultural commodity basis applies to crops and livestock and affects your farm's production, forward pricing, hedging and storage decisions.
Safe Tractor Operation
Revised
The purpose of this guide is to assist employers and employees in training for safe tractor operation. Farm employers should review this guide with anyone who operates a farm tractor.
Selecting an Appropriate Pricing Strategy
Revised
This guide outlines how to set prices for value-added agricultural products by analyzing costs, customer demand, and competition.
Agriculture and the Occupational Safety and Health Act
Revised
Missouri farms and ranches must have a safety and health program that complies with OSHA rules, regulations and standards if they have employees. Read this FAQ for details.
Selling Strategies for Local Food Producers
Revised
Learn how farms can market local food directly to consumers by building relationships with buyers, discovering customer needs, providing quality service.
Introduction to Hedging Agricultural Commodities With Options
Revised
"Learn how agricultural producers can use commodity options to manage price volatility and reduce financial risk in their operations.
Missouri Robotic Dairy Business Plans
New
View these plans to learn how to use labor-saving robotic milking systems and confinement housing to improve cow comfort and remove barriers for producing more milk.
Missouri 3,500-Cow Dairy Business Plan
New
With this plan, think through how to start a dairy using confinement housing: freestalls with sand bedding and tunnel ventilation to improve cow comfort and cooling.
Purchasing and Leasing Farm Equipment
Reviewed
Deciding between buying or leasing farm equipment? Learn about purchase plans, rental agreements, lease agreements, tax and financial considerations and more.