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