Breaking News

INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, May 13, 2012/National FFA Organization) – Dr. Steve A. Brown has earned undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees in agricultural education. He’s taught agriculture and advised FFA chapters for years in his home state of Missouri before jumping into state government roles.

Today, Brown serves as an educational program specialist in agriculture, food and natural resources with the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C.…

ST. LOUIS (May 15, 2012) – Debbie Lyons-Blythe, White City, Kansas, is Monsanto’s America’s Farmers Mom of the Year 2012.
Lyons-Blythe was nominated by her children (Meghan, Allie, Trenton, Tyler and Eric), and also by her aunt, Mary Ferguson, who she describes as “more of a friend than an aunt.” Both nominations summarized in 300 words what makes Lyons-Blythe so special…

Ashland, Missouri, May 11, 2012 - The first Equipment Rodeo of the season, sponsored by Crown Power, was held at the Missouri Rural Water Association (MRWA) annual Technical Conference and Trade Show in Columbia May 9, 2012.

This year, MRWA will recognize the top 10 qualifiers at each of two conferences: the Technical Conference and the Boot Heel Expo, which will be held August 28 and 29 in Poplar Bluff. Those qualified include anyone attending…

MT. VERNON, Mo. -- Ticks are abundant in southwest Missouri this spring according to Eldon Cole, a livestock specialist with University of Missouri Extension.

“Ticks are being found in large numbers on pets, livestock and humans,” said Cole. “At this point, their appearance in such large numbers is being…

WASHINGTON, April 26, 2012— USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Bruce Nelson today announced that USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and the state of Arkansas entered into a revised agreement to add additional incentives to the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). The Illinois River Watershed CREP, as it is more commonly known, was created to reduce nutrient, bacterial and sediment load in the…

GALENA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialists have been closely monitoring true armyworm activity in various crops in Missouri this year.  This comes after reports of significant damage to forages and crops in northern Arkansas.

To date there have been evidence in sections of southwest Missouri of their activity on fescue, bermudagrass, wheat and corn.  Some high numbers of moth counts have been observed…

(SEDALIA, Mo.) – Today, Missouri State Fair Director Mark Wolfe announced that exhibitors interested in competing at the Missouri State Fair will be able to access online entry and reserved camping forms starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 1, in the online Premium Guide.  More than 30,000 entries, representing more than 110 Missouri counties, are expected for this year’s annual agriculture showcase Aug. 9-19 in Sedalia.

Rules, guidelines and critical deadlines are already posted online…

MT. VERNON, Mo. -- There are many tests that Extension specialists rely on to solve perplexing problems or questions received from cattle producers according to Eldon Cole, a livestock specialist with University of Missouri Extension.

“The most basic test that all agriculture specialists with MU Extension turn to is the soil test. That test saves lots of fertilizer dollars especially when prices are high,” said Cole.

When it comes to animal nutrition concerns, testing forages…

WASHINGTON, April 18, 2012 – The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service reminds potential applicants to contact their local NRCS office soon to find out if they are eligible for the agency’s Organic Initiative. Applications for the final ranking period of 2012 are due at NRCS offices by close of business on June 1, 2012.  The NRCS Office Locator is available at http://go.usa.gov/Uo8.

Nationwide, NRCS has nearly…

Cat owners should keep cats indoors, use tick preventatives to reduce chance of disease

COLUMBIA, Mo. ­—Lone Star ticks, which are notorious carriers of many diseases including cytauxzoonosis, or “bobcat fever,” have been spreading across the nation in recent years. As a result, cats across much of the country are now exposed to the deadly disease. University of Missouri veterinarian Leah Cohn, a small animal disease expert, and Adam Birkenheuer from North Carolina…

Submit your best photos and videos showing Missouri agriculture to be eligible for the 2012 Focus on Missouri Agriculture Photo & Video Contest!

This is your chance to showcase your amateur rural and farm photos and videos for all to see.

Contest entries will appear on the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Flickr & YouTube sites. Winning entries will be displayed in the Agriculture…

April 23 is the deadline to nominate a farm mom for the national title and $10,000 grand prize

ST. LOUIS (April 12, 2012) - Monsanto’s search for the next America’s Farmers Mom of the Year is winding down, but there’s still time to nominate your favorite farm mom for the national title and up to $10,000 in prize money. Nominations will be accepted through April 23…

Farmer Veteran Coalition Hosts Conference Providing Female Veterans with Tools to Succeed in Food and Farming

Davis, CA April 2012—With the help of the USDA Risk Management Agency , Annie’s Project and Oxfam America, the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) is excited to host the “Empowering Women Veterans:  Success in Agriculture Business and Well-Being” conference in Davis, Calif. on July 7-8, 2012.…

(Kansas City, MO, April 10, 2012-AgNewsWire) – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced its denial of the 2008 petition by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) seeking to cancel 2,4-D herbicide registrations and revoke all the tolerances for use.

“The impact of this decision should not be understated,” said Jim Gray, executive director of the Industry Task Force II on 2,4-D Research Data. “EPA’s comprehensive review of one of the most extensive scientific data…

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., April 5, 2012 -- FFA members from across the state will meet in Columbia, April 19 - 20, to honor fellow members for outstanding achievements, conduct association business, elect new officers and participate in leadership workshops at the 84th Missouri FFA Convention.

Plant Goals, Harvest Success!!! is the theme for this year's annual convention, which is expected to attract more than 8,000 students and guests to the Hearnes Center on the University…

Each year, Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) looks for a seedstock and a commercial cattle operation to honor for their exemplary role in using superior Angus genetics to build better beef.

“These Commitment to Excellence Award winners do it right, and show the way for others,” says Larry Corah, CAB vice president. Everyone learns from good examples, and that’s why the company recognizes those who leave no stone unturned as they move toward the ideal,…

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (March 29, 2012) -- Applications for the Murray Wise Associates Foundation have been extended to April 15 to allow promising agriculture students to apply and ensure that no scholarships go unclaimed.

“Because of the number of current scholarship holders who will graduate this spring, we actually have more scholarships available than we have current applicants, so we’re going to give students more time and ensure that we have enough qualified applicants from which…

Friday, March 30, 2012 – SPRINGFIELD, MO. – Kick-off the start of spring gardening with a trip to the Farmers Market of the Ozarks (FMO) to learn more about growing your own garden and ways to shop local for your family’s Easter meal.  Farmers Market of the Ozarks will celebrate its Opening Day and Spring Gardening Kick-Off Event on April 7, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at Republic Road and James River Freeway, next…

WASHINGTON (February 29, 2012) – The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) recently expanded its Propane FEED program, a demonstration initiative that tests the performance of new propane-fueled technology. The expansion gives farmers more opportunities to save money when they buy and fuel new propane equipment.

“Propane engines are more cost effective than diesel engines or electric motors,” said Kent Chrisman, a Nebraska farmer who has been a Propane FEED participant since May 2011. “The…

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2012 – USDA officials have been notified that additional fraudulent letters and at least one fraudulent phone call have been received by individuals in a number of states.

The phone call was received by an individual in Indiana, and letters are being sent by FAX to individuals and businesses in a growing number of states. The letters and call purportedly come from a USDA procurement officer and seek personal information. These letters…

The Arkansas Agriculture Department is accepting applications for the Arkansas Century Farm program, a new program recognizing Arkansas’s rich agricultural heritage and honoring families who have owned and farmed the same land for at least 100 years.   The program is voluntary and places no restrictions on the land.

To qualify, farms must meet the following criteria:

• The same family must have owned the farm for 100 years by December 31, 2012.  The line of…

RACINE, Wis.  ̶   “You can’t have a conversation about hay production and not mention the weather,” says Dr. Kevin Shinners, Professor of Agricultural Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. As with any agricultural crop, that’s the No. 1 challenge every producer faces. But with hay and haylage, weather problems can be even more acute, because of the extended field drying time often required.

There are important steps producers can take to dry hay faster. “One…

GALENA, Mo. -- Southwest Missouri hay producers will have two opportunities to attend regional schools during April to learn how to improve their hay making skills.

The first hay school will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 14 at the Fair Grove Lions Club, 142 S. Orchard Blvd., Fair Grove.

The second one will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., Monday, April 23 and continue from 9 a.m. to 1:45…

Junior Angus members will meet in Kentucky July 15-21.

The National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) is the highlight of the summer for many Angus families, and this year the big event takes place July 15-21 in Louisville, Ky. While the cattle shows are the main attraction, the week also includes the showmanship competition, junior activities and a variety of life-skills contests.

“The National Junior Angus Show is an exciting event for…

Missouri Farmers Care Coalition thanks Missouri farmers and allies for defeating HSUS-backed "Your Vote Counts" ballot initiative

A spokesman for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)-funded "Your Vote…

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The National Swine Registry (NSR) Executive Committee announced today, NSR CEO Dr. Clint Schwab, has accepted another position within the industry.

NSR Executive Committee Chairman Jim Grimm recognizes Schwab's contribution not only to NSR, but the purebred swine industry as a whole.

"Clint is very talented and highly respected throughout the world in the field of genetics," Grimm says. "But his greatest talent is his ability to communicate with people and create…

Individuals owed payment may file a claim with the Missouri Dept. of Ag through April 27

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) – The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) encourages all Missouri livestock producers and buyers who have not received payment for business transactions with Daniel Froman or R&K Real Estate, Inc., d.b.a. Gallatin Livestock Auction to contact the Department immediately. The Gallatin, Mo.-based business’ bond funds were transferred to the Department following claims on unpaid…

America’s leading junior livestock magazine, The Show Circuit, recognizes the incredible talent and potential among its young readers, and is offering seven new scholarships to encourage these young people in their educational and professional pursuits.

Four of these scholarships are open to any students who show their intention to pursue careers in agriculture. These “Career Path” scholarships, in the amount of $500 each, will be awarded to high school seniors or undergraduate college students who…

The $10,000 endowment will provide more scholarship opportunities for Angus youth from Iowa.

The legacy of Oliver A. Hansen, members of the Hansen family and their Laudmere Farm, Durant, Iowa, will continue through a scholarship endowment established within the Angus Foundation.

The Oliver A. Hansen Family/Laudmere Farm Angus Scholarship Endowment is a $10,000 endowment that will allow one college or college-bound Angus junior member from Iowa to receive the scholarship each…

Permit process includes review of care, ownership and housing for lions, tigers and other large cats

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) – The Missouri Department of Agriculture has begun the permitting process for owners of large carnivores, such as lions, tigers and cheetahs. Under Missouri’s Large Carnivore Act owners must have a permit issued by the state agriculture department for each animal. The permitting process establishes standards for the care of large, non-native cats, as well…