ELDON, Mo. – “Grow Your Farm” sessions for beginning farmers start Saturday, March 10, at the Eldon Career Center. University of Missouri Extension agricultural business specialist Patricia Barrett says the practical seminars and field days give attendees opportunities to learn and network.
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Boost beef farm resilience with expert tips on grazing, hay storage, herd health, and financial strategies to thrive through cycles and drought.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Prices paid in 2024 for dairy products should be similar to 2023, while net returns may be better, according to University of Missouri Extension economist Scott Brown.
Brown told attendees at the 2024 Missouri Dairy Expo that average weather and feed costs will be key factors for…
COLUMBIA, Mo. – One of the most important tools for livestock producers is a sharp No. 2 pencil.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – For two years, shoppers have seen how supply chain problems can shock the food system. Initially triggered by the pandemic, these problems have persisted due to labor shortages, transportation bottlenecks and now international conflict.
Agricultural lenders across Missouri are invited to attend the 2025 Agricultural Lenders Seminar series, which is designed to equip professionals with essential updates for the 2026 growing season. The series looks at commodity markets, production costs, farmland values and region-specific topics…
Farmers may save on fertilizer in 2025 by reducing phosphorus, potassium, or lime on medium- to high-testing soils without lowering yields.
KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – Beef producers should approach 2023 with cautious optimism – matched with resolutions of good management and investment in infrastructure, says University of Missouri Extension agriculture business specialist Wesley Tucker.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Growing supplies of meat and dairy products apply pressure on farm prices through 2017 into 2019. With big supplies, strong consumer demand brings good news for producers.The offsetting result can be prices near or above last year’s prices.
Estimate winter feed costs for beef cows based on hay quality and calving season to optimize expenses and ensure proper nutrition.
Missouri livestock producers face drought challenges and must adjust herd sizes and feed strategies to stay profitable.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The average Missourian eats 63 pounds of pork each year.
Consult your insurance agent before cutting or grazing crops to protect coverage and avoid losing potential claims.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Chicken wings helped poultry farm prices take off this year. Wing prices ran at least 30 percent above year-ago levels since late May, say University of Missouri Extension economists.Thighs and legs also sold well above a year ago. Dark meat leads demand, say Scott Brown and Daniel…
COLUMBIA, Mo. – When feed prices go up, swine producers usually see profits go down. That’s not the case in 2021.This gives producers an opportunity to look at feeding to heavier weights despite higher feed costs, says University of Missouri Extension swine nutritionist Marcia Shannon.
Planting cover crops can cut prevent-plant acres in wet springs, lowering federal crop insurance losses.
With cattle markets falling, livestock specialist Zac Erwin with MU Extension in Adair County discusses some feed options to hold cattle longer in this video on the Missouri Livestock Symposium Facebook page.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new milk price safety net for dairy producers is in place. To take part farmers must rush to their local USDA farm service center.Milk producers must sign up for the first time or re-enroll by June 1, say University of Missouri Extension dairy economists.
Dairy farmers face lower milk demand as COVID-19 disrupts markets. Strategies include culling cows, reducing feed costs, and adjusting production.
The MU Extension publication “Days Suitable for Fieldwork in Missouri” can help farmers plan with confidence. It draws on 20 years of weather data to show weekly averages of days suitable for fieldwork. It also includes formulas to estimate how much acreage can be covered per day and size equipment…
Dicamba can harm neighboring plants, leading to third-party injury claims involving business liability insurance plans.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – In dry weather with short pastures, Missouri cow-herd owners face tough culling decisions. One way to match cows’ needs to available grass is to sell cows.
Attend free SW Missouri meetings Aug. 4 for cattle producers on drought survival, hay management, and feeding strategies.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Extension agronomist talk was calm on the weekly teleconference. Few problems discussed on bugs, weeds, fungus or other pests. Then the weather hit the fan. Reports from across Missouri told of farmers’ concerns about lack of rain.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – In celebration of National Farmers Market Week, Aug. 4-10, University of Missouri Extension has resources to help improve your local food systems awareness and polish your farmers market presence.
Learn about local food systems
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Farm bill programs received fresh looks and reality checks during daylong discussions at a Missouri Farm Bill Summit, Oct. 18 at University of Missouri Bradford Farm.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — Farm owners should periodically review the coverage limits on their liability insurance, says a University of Missouri Extension agriculture business specialist.
Farmers and ranchers discuss their success with e-commerce, sharing insights on platforms and strategies to expand their businesses in the digital marketplace.
Free online tool helps landowners plan for flooding and other risks to protect property and resources.
ST. CHARLES, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension workshops will help beekeepers learn how to leverage USDA insurance, disaster assistance and tax exemption to strengthen their businesses.
University of Missouri Extension’s Show-Me-Select (SMS) Replacement Heifer Program offers increased marketing prospects and premium value, according to an analysis by Thiago Martins, state extension beef reproduction specialist, and Adauto Rocha Junior, assistant extension professor of agricultural…
Programs train veterans in beekeeping and farming while connecting them with peers and new career opportunities.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – This year, hog farmers dodged lower prices when they expanded sow herds and grew the second-largest pork supply since 2008.Prices stayed above expectation, say University of Missouri Extension economists. Growing exports and consumers’ love for bacon helped demand for growing supply.
Free online tools help farmers assess land, markets and resources to start or grow successful agricultural businesses.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Without regular policy checks, farm liability insurance might be like a hospital gown – not enough coverage where you need it most.
HANNIBAL, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension agribusiness specialist Karisha Devlin urged northeastern Missouri agriculture lenders to encourage written agreements between landowners and renters during a recent agricultural lender seminar at Fiddlestiks restaurant in Hannibal.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” Crop farmers should take this adage to heart when marketing their grain, advises University of Missouri Extension agricultural economist Martyn Foreman.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Soggy fields, low soil temperatures and 16 cloudy days in May delayed soybean planting in Missouri.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Farmers understand fertilizer prices fluctuate with time.
FORSYTH, Mo. – Selling beef directly from the farm to consumers gained significant popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Missouri agriculture faces mixed 2025 prospects as crop and livestock trends shift, impacting farm income and strategic planning.
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.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri farm income appears on pace for another record year, according to John Kruse, associate research and extension professor in agricultural and applied economics at the University of Missouri.
As harvest nears, MU Extension agronomists see signs of flash drought threatening Missouri crop yields. The U.S. Drought Monitor map for Missouri released on Sept. 4 shows that 93.68% of Missouri is at least abnormally dry following an unusually wet spring.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Challenging weather has forced Missouri farmers to make difficult decisions on whether to replant crops because of sparse stands or delayed planting.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Renters and property owners are negotiating new farmland leases in response to lower farm commodity prices, says University of Missouri Extension agriculture business specialist Joe Koenen.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Drought throughout much of Missouri has renewed interest in how to price silage. An updated University of Missouri Extension publication looks at silage costs and revenues.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new policy brief by the University of Missouri Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center (RaFF) weighs in on changes to the Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs).
Free tool helps farmers compare PLC and ARC-CO program payments for corn, soybean, and wheat in 2025.
Use an online tool to see if pasture insurance fits your farm based on daily rainfall and coverage options.
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.
Free downloadable guides help small business owners build strategy, create content, choose platforms and drive results through social media.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Warmer and drier weather is expected to help farmers make solid planting progress this week.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A written plan to respond to disease outbreaks for your livestock operation is like insurance. You hope you never need it. You may never need it. But if there is an outbreak, the economic survival of your livestock operation might depend on having that plan.
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.
Record prices set at the SW Missouri Show-Me-Select heifer sale with high averages and strong buyer demand.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – When faced with a sparse or failed stand, crop producers have to ask themselves a difficult question: Should I replant?
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Dry weather and short pastures have reduced forage supplies, prompting livestock producers to ponder “could have, would have, should have” scenarios, says University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Eric Meusch.
Springfield's bull sale achieved strong prices, with 26 bulls averaging $5,458 each, highlighting a robust cattle market.
STOCKTON, Mo. – “People are enjoying high cattle prices, and the 57th Southwest Missouri Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program sale on May 16 at Joplin Regional Stockyards near Carthage was no different,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Livestock owners increasing their herds must grow demand for meat. Current herd size expands meat supplies and domestic meat consumption to record levels.With more supply, expect lower prices, University of Missouri economist Scott Brown told the Womack Agricultural Outlook…
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.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Higher production costs and lower commodity prices mean farmers must control costs more carefully than ever, says University of Missouri Extension agricultural economist Ray Massey.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As winter feeding season continues with a forecast of Arctic weather in February, cow herd owners face dwindling hay supplies.Eric Bailey, University of Missouri beef nutritionist, gives the short answer: “Feed less, need less.”In practice, that takes management decisions and…
COLUMBIA, Mo. – With dry weather and short pastures, Missouri cow-herd owners face tough culling decisions. One way to match cows’ needs to available grass is to sell cows.
Learn how to calculate the cost of baling wheat straw by weighing nutrient value, soil impacts, baling charges, and profit margins for fair pricing.
New tool helps farmers decide if harvesting wheat for silage or grain gives the best value based on yield and costs.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The yellow leaves on corn plants means one thing. Nitrogen fertilizer applied last fall or early this spring is gone. It washed deep into the soil, beyond reach of the young roots.