“Are you a cattle producer that has a small number of cattle but wants to experience feeding cattle in the feedyard, evaluate your cattle’s feedyard performance, and determine whether your cattle meet certain targets at slaughter that influence their profitability? Then consider enrolling steers in the Missouri Steer Feedout,” says Patrick Davis, MU Extension Livestock Field Specialist. This program is a cooperation between MU Extension, Southwest Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri Department of Agriculture and Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity in Iowa that began in 1981. Over the 40 plus year history this program has enrolled over 7,900 head of steers from over 372 farms. more

“Are you a cattle producer that has a small number of cattle but wants to experience feeding cattle in the feedyard, evaluate your cattle’s feedyard performance, and determine whether your cattle meet certain targets at slaughter that influence their profitability? Then consider enrolling steers in the Missouri Steer Feedout,” says Patrick Davis, MU Extension Livestock Field Specialist. This program is a cooperation between MU Extension, Southwest Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri Department of Agriculture and Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity in Iowa that began in 1981. Over the 40 plus year history this program has enrolled over 7,900 head of steers from over 372 farms. more

Sam and Liz Schuber and family, of Flemington, were among the families honored during the 66th annual Missouri Farm Family Day, Aug. 14, at the Missouri State Fair. The Schuber family was selected as the Polk County Missouri Farm Family by University of Missouri Extension in Polk County and the Polk County Farm Bureau. The family includes sons Jackson and Jacob. more

Blackberry (Rubus sp.) is a warm season, native, perennial, woody shrub, or bramble. They are members of the Rosaceae, or rose family, which includes over 600 species and developed varieties of blackberries, raspberries, and dewberries in the Rubus genus. Just another sticker plant found in abandoned fields, pastures, hayfields, and along roadsides which greatly reduces the grazing potential and hay quality on our farms. There are least 16 species of blackberries found in Missouri. Here we are addressing the upright, cane–type blackberry varieties, whose canes can reach heights of over 6 feet and develop into quite a thicket if left to grow. Along with this is another plant which closely resembles blackberries but is not. more

COLUMBIA, Mo. – “Some perennials can suffer from too much of a good thing,” said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. more

“If there was ever a year to focus on stockpiled tall fescue, this is it,” says Tim Schnakenberg, University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist in Galena. more

This is the time of year when cattle producers need to pay extra attention to heat stress in their operations, says University of Missouri Extension beef specialist Eric Bailey. more

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Livestock producers are sweating, and it’s more than just the heat of summer, says Katie Neuner, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agricultural business. more

University of Missouri Extension will hold a free monthly webinar series for sheep and goat producers starting Sept. 26. more

At the University of Missouri Extension 2023 State 4-H Horse Public Speaking and Demonstration and Youth Equine Fine Arts and Poster contests, July 26, youths demonstrated speaking, presentation and artistic abilities while sharing their equine knowledge. more

Small pockets of Missouri pastures may have gone unscathed more

When grass doesn’t grow, some cows have to go. more

My whole family gets excited when the calendar reaches mid-August. Like many kids who are involved in agriculture, the State Fair brings both a healthy spirit of competition and pride when their work culminates and they present their 4-H and FFA projects. As a parent, there’s also a little spark of relief knowing that school is just around the corner and will once again bring a normal routine to our house. I know I’m not alone. more

The emerald ash borer is a small insect that’s causing big problems for Missouri’s ash trees. more

New platform makes it easy for producers to find hay in drought. more

Some drought-stricken corn may have more value as cattle feed than grain this year. more

This time of year we receive a lot of calls about Johnsongrass. Is it bad for my cows? Will it kill my cows? Is it true that it can cause cattle to abort? more

In the wake of drought, Missouri livestock producers face dwindling water supplies for their herds. more

Vendors set up at the Greater Polk County Farmers Market on Saturday, July 22 at the Southern Hills Baptist Church’s parking lot in Bolivar. more

Ever since humans began tending to small patches of cultivated ground near their homes, the terms “rain” and “garden” have gone together. more

Drought. You are either in it, preparing for it or recovering from it. more

Ragweeds are flowering plants in the genus Ambrosia in the aster family, Asteraceae. more

The Southwest Missouri Antique Tractor Puller’s Association (SWMATPA) set up the track and sled at the Polk County Fairgrounds for a tractor pull on Saturday, July 15. more

Many species of Ironweeds (Vernonia Gigantea) are commonly found throughout Missouri. more

“Cattle producers are dealing with varying degrees of drought and forage resources,” says Patrick Davis MU Extension Livestock Field Specialist. Some cattle producers have received... more