Farm & Ranch

by Pat Miller In the past 31 years, I have seen the date of fescue hay cutting get moved later and later.  Rain delayed 2019’s harvest into July.  When is the best time to cut fescue hay?  When it is in boot, that means before the seed head has emerged.  That may be late April

The 2020 class will convene in Kansas City for a hands-on look at careers in agriculture The Missouri Department of Agriculture is offering 30 high school students representing 4-H clubs and FFA chapters, as well as farm families, throughout Missouri the opportunity to explore careers in agriculture through the 2020 Missouri Agribusiness Academy (MAbA). MAbA

Before the Nov. 15 sale of 190, Show-Me-Select heifers there was concern about their sale average price.  Following the sale, the average price at the Joplin Regional Stockyards sale was right on target to the ratio of heifers averaging twice the value of a 550-pound, Medium/Large Frame, One muscle steer.  The average was $1672. The

“Hay production is important to the Southwest Missouri forage and livestock industry,” says Regional MU Extension Livestock Field Specialist Patrick Davis.  Whether selling or feeding hay to your livestock, harvesting and baling hay properly at the right time is important for a high quality product.  A high quality product will lead to better hay demand

During a special month-long campaign called “No Tillage November”, the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is encouraging Missouri farmers to “keep the stubble” on their harvested crop fields and improve soil health. The NRCS project is mirrored after the national cancer awareness No Shave November campaign that encourages people not to shave during the entire

Farmers ending an erratic crop year have help ahead. To get it, they should enroll for the MU Crop Management Conference in Columbia. Organizer Kevin Bradley, University of Missouri plant scientist, says the annual event fills quickly. He opened enrollment early for the Dec. 17-18 event. There’s plenty to talk about. Bradley and coworkers lined

Optimum cow pregnancy rate and calf crop percentage is important for profit potential of a beef cattle operation.  Conducting a bull breeding soundness exam (BSE) to make sure your bull is structurally and reproductively sound prior to the breeding season is important to ensure these results according to Patrick Davis, livestock specialist with University of

There are no official graders of hay in Missouri according to Eldon Cole, field specialist in livestock with University of Missouri Extension. “One of the most useful ways of grading hay is to have it analyzed by a reputable laboratory for the basics such as moisture, protein, acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber,” said

Most cattle producers have left the sale barn before feeling that their cattle did not bring their true value. One of the best ways to combat that feeling is to prove your cattle are above average according to Eldon Cole, field specialist in livestock with University of Missouri Extension. “If you think you have above-average

High-moisture grass baled above 24% moisture can cause spontaneous combustion. Overheated bales can burn down a hay barn. Craig Roberts, University of Missouri forage specialist, said frequent rains this year help grass growth, but it’s been bad for making hay. He’s part of the team on a weekly MU Extension teleconference between state and regional