Ag Opportunities

The October 2012 issue of Ag Opportunities is now available.

• Grow Your Farm Course to be offered in Kansas City Area
• National Small Farm Trade Show and Conference
• New Upcoming Monthly Beginning Farmer Webinars
• Online Learning Community
• Grants and Assistance
• IN PRINT/ON-LINE/IN THE NEWS
• ON THE CALENDAR

Past Issues

New pasture grazing topics set for Lake Ozark meeting, Nov. 5-6

New ideas for pastures will be discussed at the Missouri Forage and Grassland Council meeting, Nov. 5-6 at Lake Ozark, Mo.

Topics include updates on new nontoxic tall fescue available to replace drought-stricken pastures, supplemental feeding on pasture and multispecies grazing.

Grazing sheep and cattle together will be explained by Joe and Hoss Hopping of Hopping Brothers Livestock, Wagoner, Okla. They run 600 ewes with 150 cows or 200 to 225 stocker calves. “We made lots of mistakes,” Joe said. “We started with goats, but now sheep are our main deal. They make money.”

The cattle eat grass, but sheep eat weeds and brush. “We thought only goats would do that,” Joe added.

The MFGC program features farmers as well as University of Missouri and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service specialists.

Craig Roberts, MU Extension forage specialist, will talk about managing fescue toxicosis and follow with updates on novel-endophyte fescue.

Justin Sexten, MU Extension beef nutritionist, will tell advantages of feeding supplements on pasture versus pasture only.

Abner Womack, founder of the MU Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute, will review “Impact of Economic Climate on Farm Prices.”

Nitty-gritty topics include flexible fencing by Ian Kurtz of Ozark, Mo., and how to grow grass with less nitrogen fertilizer by Mark Kennedy of Houston, Mo. He is NRCS grassland conservationist. Kurtz, formerly with NRCS, now consults on grassland farming.

Ann Wells, veterinarian at Prairie Grove, Ark., will tell about environmentally friendly fly control. Kathy Voth, founder of Livestock for Landscapes, Loveland, Colo., will tell how she trains cows to eat weeds.

The final product of grazing will be included. Bruce Shanks of Lincoln University, Jefferson City, describes meat processing and marketing.

MFGC is a commodity group for grass growers and graziers.  Darrell Franson, council president, Mount Vernon, Mo., will preside at an awards banquet. Outstanding graziers will be named.

The meeting starts at 10 a.m. and ends by 3 p.m. the next day at the Resort at Port Arrowhead on Business Highway 54 near the south end of the Bagnell Strip.

Full advance registration is $105 plus $55 for spouse. Discounts apply for MFGC members and one-day registrations.

Joetta Roberts, executive secretary, gives details at 573-499-0886 (mornings).  Cllick here for program and registration.  Special room rates are $65 for early registrations at the resort. Call 1-800-532-3575.
(by Duane Daily, MU Senior Information Specialist)

Looking at Your Cattle a Practice for Beef Production Success

Successful beef cattle producers in southwest Missouri give varied responses when asked about their most important practices for success.

According to Eldon Cole, a livestock specialist with University of Missouri Extension, most producers will stay things like forage production, genetic selection, health programs and effective marketing.

“One couple I talked with surprised me a bit when the wife quickly replied, ‘we look at them a lot.’ Looking at your cattle is a management practice some may not take too seriously but I have admit, it is an important part of beef cattle production,” said Cole.

Other farm chores or off-the-farm job demands may be reasons this practice is not performed as frequently or as competently as it should be.

“Cattle and their environment do need to be looked at frequently and with a purpose,” said Cole. “A quick check after dark or before the sun comes up is not good enough, but may be the best you can do.”

During the “looking,” Cole suggests producers count the cattle if possible, to tell if someone might have borrowed or stolen some.

“Law enforcement folks need to know soon if you’re missing cattle. If you only do a count every two weeks, the chances of finding a thief are slim. A daily check is ideal,” said Cole.

A close herd check should be routine during calving season according to Cole.

“This is the one time during the year most cow herd owners do check to tag calves, make sure heifers or cows do not need assistance and no scour or other sickness problems have begun,” said Cole.

During the breeding season, close attention should be given to the bull to determine if he is healthy and doing his job. Close observers may even keep dates and numbers down on females that were in heat.

Grazing schools teach close observation of pasture growth too. It is especially important to look at the forage as far as quality and quantity are concerned.

“If you’re following a fairly rigid rotational grazing system, an excellent time to look and count is when you change pastures. Weed problems can be noted, some of which may be toxic,” said Cole.

In fescue country, in the late fall-early winter, special attention should be given on cold mornings to symptoms of fescue foot. It results in lameness in the rear feet. According to Cole, keen observation can pick it up before significant damage occurs to the animal.

Pasture checks may be done by walking, riding horseback, on a four-wheeler or in a truck. The important thing is to “look a lot,” make notes about what is going on with your investment.

“University of Missouri Extension budgets allocate five hours per cow per year for labor. A portion of that time is for looking and management. That time helps improve the bottom line in the beef cow enterprise,” said Cole.
(by David Burton, MU Communication Specialist)

Lady Landowner Workshops

Two Lady Landowner Workshops will be held in Northeast Missouri.

The first workshop will be held October 24 in Linn County at the Browning Community Center (intersection or Hwy 5 & Route M, Browning, MO). Pre-registration is required by October 19th. Please contact 660-265-4541 or shaferg@missouri.edu.

A workshop will also be held October 23 in Schuyler County at the Livonia Community Center. For more information and to register for this workshop contact the Schuyler County Extension Center at 660-457-3469.

The agenda for that workshop is as follows:

9:30 to 10:00 a.m. Registration & Introductions

10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Update on Government Programs (FSA, NRCS, SWCD)

11:50 to 11:15 a.m. Reducing Feed Costs for Beef Cattle

11:20 to 12:00 p.m. Impact of the Drought on Row and Cover Crops

12:00 to 1:00 p.m. LUNCH (provided)

1:05 to 2:00 p.m. Impact of the Drought on Gardens, Lawns, etc.

2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Current Farm Lease Issues and Concerns

3:00 to 3:15 p.m. Final Questions and Evaluations

The workshops are free and all interested women (owneroperators, spouses, widows) are invited to attend this program.

Renovating Ponds

Some say, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” and this drought has certainly given us a lot of lemons. One way to turn around a negative effect of the drought is to renovate a dry older pond.

A problem with many older, small farm ponds is their low to almost no water holding capacity due to filling with silt. These old, shallow ponds are often ignored because of the cost and trouble associated with a renovation. 

Typically, pond renovation begins with the dam being opened to release the water. The use of drag lines or back hoes to renovate a “wet” or full pond is not nearly as efficient and is usually more expensive than a dry pond renovation. The drought provides an opportunity to renovate without damaging the dam and having to wait for the pond to drain. 

Minimum depth should be 8 feet. The dam and sides of the pond should be rather steep (not to exceed a 3:1 slope) to aid in reducing marginal aquatic weed establishment and growth. Typically, the water entrance end is a shallower slope. The 8 foot depth and steep sides should give sufficient water to leave some reserve capacity even during the next drought increasing the likelihood of fish survival. 

Silt cleaned from the pond should be placed where it will not wash back into the pond. If there is a clay layer spread over the bottom of the original construction to aid in sealing, this should be preserved in place or saved nearby to be reapplied. 

If the dam has trees or shrubs, they should be removed with the roots to guard against future leaking or weakening. Dams typically have been eroded and should be rebuilt. At the same time, damage from tree or shrub removal can be repaired. 

Disturbed soil around the pond above the intended water line should also be prepared for mulching and seeding. Wheat can be used hold soil until perennial grasses can be sown. 

Once the pond refills, the back side of the dam should be checked for wet spots indicating seepage or leaks. Deep cracks left from the drought, root tunnels or pond seal damage from the renovation can be sources of pond leakage. There is an MU guidesheet, G1555 on reducing pond seepage.

Additional information on ponds can be found from the Missouri Department of Conservation and from the “Pond Management Resources on the Internet” web page.

Organic Farming Apprenticeship

The EarthDance Organic Farming Apprenticeship is an opportunity to learn how to grow food on a productive farm, close to home. The program was designed to serve the needs of urban and suburban dwellers who are interested in learning to grow their own food or exploring careers in sustainable agriculture, but are not yet able to devote themselves to full-time farming. Through the apprenticeship program, aspiring farmers and garden leaders become part of a supportive community of engaged food citizens. EarthDance graduates have gone on to start their own farms, found community gardens, and to develop youth gardening programs.

Come out to our info session on what the apprenticeship is all about:

Wednesday, Nov. 14th, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm. Schalfly Bottleworks, Crown Room. "So You Want To Be A Farmer?" Info session. Presented by Molly Rockamann, April Shelhon, Rachel Levi

Read more about becoming an apprentice for the 2013 growing season...

Cover Crops for Profit



Cover crops, or green manure as they are sometimes referred to, are legumes, grasses and brassicas (plants from the mustard family such as cabbage, kale or broccoli). The use of a cover crop can lead to major improvements in the soil, such as increased water infiltration, reduced compaction, and prevention of soil erosion. Long-term use of cover crops is an effective way to increase profit from your farm, and sometimes the cover crop itself can offer a farm product which you can sell.

Crimson Clover

However, the main benefit of continued use of cover crops will be realized in the cash crop that follows the cover crop. This is due to the accumulation of nutrients the cover crop has moved up from lower in the soil profile to the surface layer of soil, which is now available to your next cash crop. Other associated benefits are: suppressing weeds, nitrogen fixing, conserving energy use (less tractor work), conserving moisture, early spring flowers for pollinators, and adding organic matter to improve the soil increasing the vigor of plants.

Legumes are the nitrogen concentrators. The field peas, alfalfa, vetch and clovers will fix nitrogen from the air by the nodules on the roots. When the above ground portion of the plant is chopped down and begins to decompose, the nitrogen is released into the ground. When planting legumes, you should use an inoculant (available commercially) that will help the seedlings form lots of nodules.

Annual Rye Grass

Grasses are the biomass or organic matter builders. Winter Rye, Sudan grass, ryegrass and millet are all grasses that will produce tons of biomass as they are chopped, crimped or rolled down and begin to decompose. Long-term research has documented that fields planted in one of these grasses could show a two percent increase or more of organic matter. This can have profit benefits down the line.

Brassicas used as a cover crop are known as bio-fumigants (a method of destroying pests). Mustards are most commonly used as bio-fumigants against nematode and soil fungi problems. When bio-fumigating, the cover crop is chopped and immediately incorporated into the soil for best results. Chopping or mowing should be just prior to bloom.

Planting cover crops is a matter of purpose and need. Are you rotating in a cover crop to prevent weeds in a fallow field, scavenging nitrogen or building biomass and good bacteria? Plant in spring, mow it when it begins to flower, and plow under in the fall; plant in the late summer or early fall, over winter, then crimp or roll the cover crop to kill it in spring and plant through the thick mat of decomposing vegetation.

Oilseed Radish

Late summer is a good time to start thinking about what cover crops you will want to plant in your fields in the fall.  For example, a mix of cereal rye and Austrian winter peas (legume) planted in late October will be able to start establishing themselves and create a living cover that will protect your field through the winter, while also doing all the things mentioned in this article.  Then in the spring, the cover crop can be managed in whatever way works best for you. If you are fortunate enough to have access to a roller/crimper and a no-till drill, this is an excellent tool to manage the cover crop. Rodale nstitute has been working on perfecting this technique for many years. If you do not have access to this equipment, cutting the cover crop down and incorporating it into the soil with a tiller or other methods can also work.

With cover crops, timing is very important.  Planting too late in the fall can result in poor growth, thus a weak cover crop.  Your specific weather, climate zone, soil type, farming techniques and skills will play important roles in choosing when to plant and what cover crop to plant. Research the possibilities and find the cover crop that suits your farm and climate. The profit in the soil will pay off.

An excellent resource to learn more about cover crop is the Midwest Cover Crop Council webpage
(http://www.mccc.msu.edu/) or the #9 SARE Handbook “Managing Cover Crops Profitably.” You can download the book for free or order it for $19.00 from the website.
(by Susan Jaster, Small Farm Outreach Worker, Lincoln University)