Farm Help

Many cattlemen have had to adjust their pasture fertilization habits in recent years, because the old standby is no longer available. Ammonium nitrate had been the nitrogen source of choice, but fears that it could be used as a weapon have led to increased regulation; as a result, many smaller dealers no longer carry it.

If you’re buying hay or assessing the quality of your silage, there’s often more to the content of your forage than meets the eye. How will you know for certain if it fulfills the nutritional needs of your livestock? Forage testing is a practical method that’s often not taken advantage of by producers. Most county extension offices will provide forage testing services for hay, silage, grain or even pasture grass.

As calving season approaches, it’s important to keep cattle in condition, and to know what they need to stay in condition.

If you’re buying hay or assessing the quality of your silage, there’s often more to the content of your forage than meets the eye. How will you know for certain if it fulfills the nutritional needs of your livestock? Forage testing is a practical method that’s often not taken advantage of by producers. Most county extension offices will provide forage testing services for hay, silage, grain or even pasture grass.

Farmers across the country will gather February 10-12 at the Ramada Oasis Conference Center in Springfield, Mo., for the Missouri Organic Association’s (MOA) annual conference.

Many cattlemen have had to adjust their pasture fertilization habits in recent years, because the old standby is no longer available. Ammonium nitrate had been the nitrogen source of choice, but fears that it could be used as a weapon have led to increased regulation; as a result, many smaller dealers no longer carry it.

Warm season grasses are not new to Missouri. When Missouri was settled these grasses grew wild and naturally on over a million acres of Ozarks land. Without knowledge of how to manage these grasses they soon disappeared due to overgrazing and late mowing.

The horse owner plays the most important role in ensuring that horses receive adequate nutrition. As such, the owner must have a basic understanding of what an equine needs in its general diet. Barbara Brown, who serves on the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Horse Council and has operated a private equine rescue on her farm for over 20 years, suggested these tips:

A good breeding boar might be easy to pick. Just look for one with a good frame and straight legs. However, to maximize profit and achieve the desired results, a little more research can pay off. Dr. Tim Safranski with the University of Missouri Animal Sciences Division offers some tips.

Farmers often search for ways to diversify the family farm to make more money. TerryW. Griffin, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness at the University of Arkansas Community College in Morrilton is a specialist in production economics and row-crop farm management. Dr. Griffin offered these tips on branching out from the traditional way of farming into new areas of income-generating activities.