Farm & Ranch

by Kalena Bruce Farmers feed the world. Three times a day, our society depends on 1.5 % of our population (farmers) to provide nutritious food for their sustenance. Yet, 1-in-5 children in Cedar County go hungry at least once a week because they don’t have access to food. We have a problem. We have a

Internship programs are a great opportunity for college students to make contacts and gain experience while still in school. One such opportunity is with the Missouri Pork Association and their internship program. The program allows students to obtain training in a real world setting to develop personal, organizational and public relations skills and experiences. A

University of Missouri Extension, the Greene County Extension Council, and Mid-Missouri Bank will offer a “Raising Cattle on Small Acreages” workshop starting at 5:30 p.m., Oct. 16 at the Botanical Center, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield. A meal will be available for all registered participants thanks to the generous support of Mid-Missouri Bank. The topic

October is a good time to prepare your bulls for the upcoming breeding season. That also makes this the best time of year to schedule a bull breeding soundness exam (BSE) as an insurance policy for the fall 2018 calf crop. “Just because you tested your bull or bulls earlier in the spring it is

As consumers relearn to butter their toast, they help dairy prices at the farm gate. Despite growth in the U.S. dairy cow herd, milk prices have stayed above year-ago levels this year, say University of Missouri Extension economists. Looking for causes, they see growing demand for butter, say Scott Brown and Daniel Madison. “Butter prices

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. However, the economists caution, “At this rate, supply can outstrip demand.” Good times

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 sold well above a year ago. Dark meat leads demand, say Scott Brown and Daniel Madison. A trend to dark hasn’t helped turkey

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

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.”

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