Farm Help

It's been in the news numerous times, typically associated with product recalls. It's E. coli, or formally known as the pathogen Escherichia coli O157:H7 (O157), a bacteria found in the intestines of animals and humans.

The economic evidence says there's profit to be made for cattlemen who understand what consumers want. A symposium at the recent Agriculture and Applied Economics Association meeting in Denver examined trends that document a desire for high-quality beef.

Whether as grain, forage, ensilage, or all of these, corn plays a part in feeding most Missouri and Arkansas cattle herds. Yet in terms of nutritional value, all corn is not equal.

One of the more common problems that farmer's face is one that seems somewhat basic. "How much forage is enough?" is a question asked by more producers each year. Knowing when fields and pastures have enough grass for animals, or when to switch to hay is not only an important issue, but one with definite complexities. Poor management of pastures and fields can lead to several problems such as weed growth and poor grazing habits by the livestock.

Many producers try to time their spring or fall breeding seasons so the calves arrive at the optimum time. Brett Barham, University of Arkansas professor of animal science specializing in beef cattle breeding and genetics, noted while the official gestation period for cattle is 283 days, individual animals can vary by a week or two. “Typically, the calving season probably needs to be dictated around available forage for the cow while she's at peak lactation,” Barham told Ozarks Farm & Neighbor. “We have spring calvers and fall calvers, and those calving seasons should be set up to have those calves about 30-60 days old during peak forage production.”

So you think you’re interested in growing your own grapes and making your own wine? Carrie Crews, VESTA Missouri Coordinator, and Martin Kaps, Graduate Program Coordinator, offered much advice and information on viticulture, the growing of grapes, and enology, the making of wine. Sonny McMurtrey of Mtn. Grove, Mo., offered a vineyard owner’s perspective.

The federal agency responsible for issuing regulations that govern contracting, buying and selling of livestock and poultry has written new rules that – if finalized – would drastically change the way that producers, packers, dealers and contractors raise, buy and sell livestock and poultry. The National Agricultural Law Center is planning a series of workshops to discuss the proposed changes, including a question and answer session and an explanation of the process by which individuals can comment on the proposals.

Agriculture is changing by the way farmers and ranchers communicate with and market to consumers. This is an era of 450 million people on mobile Internet, 68 million bloggers, 500 million Facebook users and 55 million Twitter account holders. Social media has taken its threshold within the agricultural community by allowing producers to promote a positive message for agriculture in a time where there are many critics.

Direct marketing livestock is a popular outlet producers are evaluating for their farm operations, but entering this type of venture requires substantial research. Although a producer might gain more profit from direct marketing livestock, they will wear a variety of hats in the process. 

So you think you produce feeder calves that should command the top price for their weight every time they go into the sale ring? Some farmers do have that kind of cattle while others wonder why their calves sell $2 to $5 per hundred below comparable weight calves.