Beef production field day set for May 20 in Ironton
University of Missouri Extension, in partnership with Iron County Soil and Water District, will host a farm field day Tuesday, May 20, in Ironton at Mairs Cattle Farm. The farm field day is free, but RSVP is requested. Presentations will take place in the morning and again after tours, which will follow lunch.
Make hay in May for best quality, yield
COLUMBIA, Mo. – For yield and quality, May is the best time to harvest cool-season grasses, says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Harley Naumann. May is when cool-season grasses transition from the vegetative stage to the reproductive stage. Many grasses such as tall fescue, orchard grass and Kentucky bluegrass are already flowering in parts of Missouri.
MU forage specialist begins new podcast
LINNEUS, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension state forage agronomy specialist Carson Roberts recently released the “Productive Pastures Podcast,” featuring livestock and forage producers, researchers and others interested in management-intensive grazing, livestock production and forage production. “Listeners will be exposed to many brilliant ideas for how to improve profitability and regeneration in forage-livestock systems,” says…
Multispecies grazing workshop set for May 22 in Stockton
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Grazing multiple species of livestock on your grazing operation can improve efficiency and profitability,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist.
MU Management Intensive Grazing School set for June 16-18 in Arcola
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Efficient forage management and utilization are crucial to the profitability of a livestock operation,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. The optimal approach to efficient forage management and utilization is through management-intensive grazing.
Produce high-quality hay to reduce cattle supplementation
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Hay harvest is approaching, and producing high-quality hay reduces cattle supplementation,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Davis discusses harvest management strategies to achieve optimal hay quality:
MU Extension Cow College Workshops to strengthen beef industry
DONIPHAN, Mo. – In May, southeastern Missouri cattle producers are invited to Cow College Workshops, an initiative led by specialists from University of Missouri Extension’s livestock, agronomy and agriculture business and policy teams.
Ag drone training set for May 10 in Montgomery City
MONTGOMERY CITY, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension specialists will provide a day of discussion and hands-on training for using drones in Missouri agriculture Saturday, May 10, in Montgomery City.
Controlling sheep and goat parasites through forage management
OSCEOLA, Mo. – A new guide developed by University of Missouri Extension and Lincoln University Extension offers insights into controlling gastrointestinal parasites in sheep and goats through forage-based management.
Plan for drought by choosing the right forage plan
TUSCUMBIA, Mo. – Now is the time for forage growers to plan for drought, says Rudra Baral, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy.
Use sacrifice pastures now to spare best pastures for later
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Cattle producers welcome the rain, but it leads to muddy pastures and proper management is needed for optimum grazing the rest of the year,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Davis feels sacrifice pastures may be needed to help in promoting forage production for the rest of the grazing season.
Add magnesium to prevent grass tetany in cattle
STOCKTON, Mo. – “As spring and lush grass growth arrives cattle producers need to plan for prevention of grass tetany,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Grass tetany arises from a cattle mineral imbalance, so Davis suggests cattle producers use management strategies discussed below to reduce the incidence in their cattle operations.
Understanding grass tetany in beef cows
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If you’ve ever seen a cow suddenly collapse in early spring, seemingly out of nowhere, you might have witnessed a case of grass tetany, says University of Missouri Extension state beef nutritionist Eric Bailey.
Timing, flexibility key to grazing tall fescue spring flush
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Proper management of the spring flush of tall fescue gives pastures and cattle a head start for the rest of the grazing season, says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Harley Naumann.
Avoid financial heartbreak after drought
POTOSI, Mo. – Missouri is coming off consecutive years of severe droughts and depleted cool-season pastures. As drought lingers, so do old practices that worsen its impact, says Rachel Hopkins, University of Missouri Extension agricultural business specialist. She likens it to an oft-quoted definition of insanity – “doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results” – to the mindset of some long-term fescue growers.
The skinny on what your hay bales really weigh
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Ask five farmers how much their hay bales weigh, and you’ll probably get five different answers — none of which are backed up by a scale ticket. “That’s because most folks think they know their bale weights, but more often than not, they’re guessing,” says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist and associate dean Rob Kallenbach. “And when you’re buying hay by the bale instead of by the ton, those…
Frost-seeding legumes pays big dividends
HERMITAGE, Mo. – Frost-seeding legumes now can pay big dividends later, says University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy Terry Halleran. Frost-seeding is a low-cost method of broadcasting legumes over frozen ground into an existing pasture. Legumes offer many benefits but require proper management, says Halleran.
Frost seeding legumes improves pastures several ways
LINNEUS, Mo. – Adding diversity to a pasture can make it more productive than growing tall fescue alone. Diversity can also aid in reducing or diluting the effects of fescue toxicity, improve nutritive value of forage, increase weight gain and enhance soil health, says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Carson Roberts.
Three steps to prepare for winter feeding of livestock
SALEM, Mo. – Now is a good time to review winter feeding plans, according to University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Eric Meusch. “Forage growth has come to an end, so making sure producers have what they need to feed their livestock though the winter is important,” Meusch said. “These three basic steps and a sharp pencil can help them determine if they are ready for winter.” 1. Determine animal needs
Forage, cattle producers embrace change in move from Colorado to Missouri
NEW BOSTON, Mo. – Tad and Kim Carnahan knew where one of their first stops would be after their move from Colorado to Missouri. The lifelong learners turned to University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Zac Erwin and agronomy specialist Valerie Tate for help in setting up their new Missouri cattle and forage operation. The local extension center became their one-stop shop for learning. “We try to absorb everything,” Tad…
Buying corn silage to feed beef cows in winter
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Moisture and fall forage growth have been disappointing in 2024. The bumper crop of corn this year has prompted many cattle farmers to consider feeding their cows corn silage. “We had an outstanding growing season, and hay supplies are plentiful,” said University of Missouri Extension state beef nutritionist Eric Bailey. “But I have received numerous inquiries from cattlemen interested in using corn silage as a winter…
MU Extension releases enterprise budgets for 2025
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension has released its latest crop and livestock enterprise budgets tailored to help Missouri farmers and ranchers plan for a productive 2025. MU Extension specialists have updated 38 budgets for farmers working with row crops, beef, swine, dairy, sheep, goats, forages and more. Region-specific budgets have also been developed for southeastern Missouri crops like cotton, peanuts and rice.
Applying nitrogen to forages now is high risk, low reward
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The best time to apply nitrogen fertilizer to promote fall forage growth has passed, says University of Missouri Extension state nutrient management specialist John Lory. Applying now does not promote growth and may increase the risk of forages accumulating nitrate.
Nitrogen fertilizer boosts fescue yields but increases toxin
COLUMBIA, Mo. – It is difficult to make blanket recommendations on fall nitrogen fertilizer rates to pastures because of the variability in how forages are managed in the Fescue Belt, says University of Missouri Extension state nutrient management specialist John Lory. But fescue pastures need a source of nitrogen to thrive, he says.
Stockpile tall fescue to save on labor, cost and time
MONTGOMERY CITY, Mo. – Start stockpiling tall fescue in mid-August for healthier, more profitable cattle, says University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy Rusty Lee. Stockpiling fescue extends the grazing season and reduces the need to feed hay. “Winter feed costs are the cattle producer’s biggest single expense,” says Lee. The best way to reduce that expense is to let cattle graze longer and feed hay for a shorter…