Farm Help

Farmers today are adding even more duties to their job description, as they are incorporating savvy marketing to capture more of the food dollar through value-added agriculture.

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.

There are three good reasons for growing an alternative forage crop, according to Dr. Robert Kallenbach – availability, quality and toxicity.

Weaning at 90 to 120 days of age has proved to be an effective tool to maximize feed efficiency and stimulate marbling development, but that comes with added nutritional responsibility.

New developments in estimated progeny differences (EPDs) promise to make them even more accurate and valuable tools for cattle producers. But, Brett Barham noted, they’re still not going to be perfect.

There are many reasons to consider involvement in your preferred breed's breed association. And, if active in your breed association, there is even further reasoning to be an active participant in record keeping and EPD recording programs.

There are many reasons to consider involvement in your preferred breed's breed association. And, if active in your breed association, there is even further reasoning to be an active participant in record keeping and EPD recording programs.

Imagine one-third of all of our food production being severely impeded, if not completely destroyed. In the face of colony collapse disorder, north American beekeepers knew this scenario was not just a scary idea, but a true reality. Greene County beekeeper, Mike Meyer, explained, one-third of all plants are directly impacted, and another third is indirectly impacted by honeybee pollination. Bee pollination is responsible for $15 billion in added crop value, particularly for specialty crops such as almonds and other nuts, berries, fruits and vegetables. In southwest Missouri, they’re pollinating alfalfa, clover, soybeans and other forages and crops.

Entomologists call them Musca Autumnalis; farmers and ranch workers call them face flies. In any case, they are a major disease-spreading pest of livestock. Face flies are the single-most common cause of pinkeye in cattle and goats in the Ozarks region.

Meeting the nutritional needs of a young calf might sound familiar to parents of young children: Feed well, feed often and prepare for pickiness.