After two years of droughts in Missouri, hay supplies are low with many producers feeding hay during the summer months and lacking the pasture growth to get the tonnage comparable to previous year’s hay crops. Many producers in southern Missouri reported 50% to 75% reductions in first-cutting hay crops in 2023. With such a low availability of hay in the state and high input costs, the price of hay has increased, which adds insult to injury for livestock producers. Minimizing hay waste should be at the forefront of the minds of producers this winter.  more

The Missouri Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for anticipated funding through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Interested individuals, community organizations and research institutions working to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Missouri should submit an application by March 26.  more

The University of Missouri Extension-Howell County office is offering a program for those who want to learn to manage nuisance wildlife in the yard, garden and on the farm. more

Popular farm-humor columnist and speaker Jerry Crownover, who grew up in Mammoth, Ozark County, and graduated in 1970 from Gainesville High School, will speak at 10 a.m. Feb. 15 at the Ozark County Historium, 361 Main St. in Gainesville. The presentation is free and open to everyone. more

Whether you call it hypertension or high blood pressure, this health condition is often called the “silent killer.” That’s because, frequently, people are unaware that they have high blood pressure until it causes a severe health problem, such as heart disease, a heart attack, or a stroke. more

Christian Anthony Adkins, 23, Mtn. View, and Lacey Lee Andrews, 28, Mtn. View, married Dec. 30, 2023, in Birch Tree. Officiated by Jeffery Brake. more

September through November 2023 will go down on record as Earth’s warmest such period on record, a substantial leap — 0.70 degrees Fahrenheit — above the previous record from 2015, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The report uses historical climate data going back to 1850. more

The 4-H and FFA steer weigh-in for the 2024 Heart of the Ozarks Fair will be held Feb. 10, announce officials with the University of Missouri Extension-Howell County. more

It's colorless, odorless, tasteless and potentially deadly. more

Tools that may help laypersons start a conversation about suicide and mental health with someone who is in crisis are available at no cost through the QPR evidence-based suicide prevention/intervention training offered by AgriSafe online or in person in their QPR training program at www.agrisafe.org/courses/qpr. more

MFA Oil Company, a farmer-owned energy supply cooperative, had good tidings to share with its members over the holiday season. The company’s members are set to receive a combined $19.9 million in cash and equity in exchange for doing business with the co-op. The company announced the planned distribution at its 94th annual Delegate Meeting on Dec. 11. more

January 6, 1985, will forever be remembered in NFL history, as Dan Marino, the Miami Dolphins' quarterback, delivered a tour de force performance, passing for a record 421 yards and four touchdowns in a dominating 45-28 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC championship game. more

The University of Missouri Women's Basketball team encountered a formidable challenge as they opened their Southeastern Conference play, falling 92-72 to the No. 7 ranked LSU Tigers on Thursday night at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. more

The Lady Zizzers basketball teams had an eventful night, starting their Ozark Conference play on a strong note with two wins out of three against the Glendale Falcons. The varsity and junior varsity teams displayed impressive performances, securing victories that set a positive tone for the season. more

In an era where industrial-scale agriculture has dominated, a quiet but significant shift is occurring across the United States. Smaller farms are re-emerging as a cornerstone in the nation's food supply, challenging the long-held dominance of industrial-scale operations. This trend is not just a nostalgic return to the past; it's a response to a complex array of modern demands and concerns. more

Jason Smith, U.S. Representative for Missouri's 8th District, recently made a visit to the Ozarks Regional Stockyard in West Plains, available to lend an ear to cattle producers and hear concerns about an industry that brings a lot of dollars to the area. more

A former West Plains resident with a passion for antique tractors was recently featured in the High Plains Journal, a weekly publication devoted to agricultural news based in Dodge City, Kan., and serving subscribers in 12 states. more

Farmers perform many everyday tasks that can result in head injury, including building, demolishing and repairing structures, operating and repairing machinery, felling or trimming trees, and entering or exiting buildings with low door clearances.  more

The Missouri Corn Growers Association and Missouri Corn Merchandising Council are continuing the longstanding tradition of awarding seven deserving students $1,000 scholarships in 2024. Applications for the Missouri Corn Scholarship Program are now available for high school seniors and college juniors pursuing a degree in agronomy or related area of agriculture. more

On Dec. 6, the Missouri Pork Association, National Pork Board and the University of Missouri held the third annual FFA Swine Facility Management Contest in Columbia. more