Farm & Ranch

What would happen if U.S. farmers stopped producing animals for food and Americans went vegan? Some have called for a move in that direction to address increasing concerns about U.S. health, eating habits, and climate change. Researchers at USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Virginia Tech recently explored those questions and found surprising results. Mary

Soil tests can save farmers thousands of dollars, says Manjula Nathan, director of the University of Missouri Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory. Fall is the best time to submit samples. Too often, farmers follow routine fertilization schedules and end up applying too much fertilizer to fields, Nathan said. A simple soil test gives the farmer

Cranberries, sweet potatoes and pecans are all favorite Thanksgiving foods that can be grown successfully in Missouri according to Patrick Byers, a horticulture specialist with University of Missouri Extension. Many consider cranberries to be an essential part of Thanksgiving. Cranberries are native to North America and are found in bogs or other areas where the

by Spencer Tuma 1985 was a great year to be a Kansas City Royals fan, but if you are a student of tax policy, you will know 1986 was truly the record year. In late October 1986, baseball fans watched in anticipation as the New York Mets claimed their first World Series title in franchise

University of Missouri Extension economists urge farmers to complete the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2017 Census of Agriculture. The census should arrive in farmers’ mailboxes in December. It can be returned by mail or securely submitted online. MU Extension economist Ryan Milhollin says federal, state and local governments as well as agribusinesses, researchers, trade associations

by Lauren Hildreth, MDC Wildlife Programs Supervisor The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is working with public and private conservation partners through the Missouri Feral Hog Partnership to eliminate feral hogs from Missouri. Agencies in the partnership are helping landowners remove hogs from their properties through trapping, and some landowners are attempting to prevent their

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