Farm & Ranch

Big meat supplies press prices, but consumer demand stays up

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. The outlook comes from a “Baseline Update for Livestock and Dairy Markets” from University of Missouri

[ Read More ]

Unusual summer: Why are cattle so slick this year?

Cattle in southwest Missouri seem to be slick and shiny this year according to Eldon Cole, livestock specialist with University of Missouri Extension. “At least that’s what I’ve observed as I visit herds and do windshield surveys,” said Cole. “I’ve asked several producers, veterinarians and market folks if they’ve seen that too and most agree.”

[ Read More ]

Agriculture Pulls Together for Missouri’s Hungry Children

Industry collaboration yields 1.8 million meals for schoolkids across the state One in five Missouri children live in homes where food is scarce. According to Feeding Missouri, that number can be as high as one in three in rural areas. Missouri’s rate of childhood food insecurity is among the highest in the nation. Over the

[ Read More ]

Crawford victory in Senate Special Election a win for Missouri farmers

Trustees of the Missouri Farm Bureau Regional Endorsement Committee representing the State Senate’s 28th District congratulate State Representative Sandy Crawford (R) on her successful campaign to complete the unexpired senatorial term of Mike Parson, who was elected lieutenant governor. Crawford won decisively with over 68 percent of the vote in the Aug. 8 Special Election.

[ Read More ]

Pinkeye problems showing up

Pinkeye has been showing up in numerous beef cattle operations in southwest Missouri during the last four to six weeks according to Eldon Cole, livestock specialist with University of Missouri Extension. The most susceptible animals are nursing calves and fall born 2016 weaned calves. “It seems most adult animals escape the eye infection probably because

[ Read More ]

Japan slaps high tariff on U.S. beef

Japan says “Whoa, go slow” on imports of frozen beef from the United States. To safeguard their own beef farmers, Japan raised tariffs on U.S. beef from 38.5 to 50 percent. “This increases the price of U.S. beef for Japanese consumers,” says Scott Brown, University of Missouri beef economist. “Less foreign consumption increases beef supply

[ Read More ]

Dad’s Farm Jacket

by Estil Fretwell Recently I came upon Dad’s farm jacket I inherited when he passed away almost 20 years ago.  Out of curiosity, I tried it on.  Now Dad liked to eat, and while he was not necessarily fat, he was rather “husky.”  To my alarm, the jacket fit quite well.  Further examination of the

[ Read More ]

Monett dairy farmer switching to beef

Fourth-generation farmer Mike Meier knows change will help his family’s Century Farm survive. The rotational grazing and breeding system he uses for his dairy herd works. Now he wants to apply those principles to beef cattle. “At 56, I wanted to go in a different direction,” he says. He wants to see how much profit

[ Read More ]

Missouri cattleman can now export beef to China

Following demands from U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill and a bipartisan group of colleagues, President Trump has finalized an agreement with China to lift its beef import ban and allow Missouri ranchers to export their beef to China. “This is outstanding news for Missouri ranchers who can support more jobs and increase their profits by tapping

[ Read More ]