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NRCS + MU Grasslands Project

Side-by-side image of weedy grass and flourishing grass.

Overcoming adversity

Warm season grasses surpassed all expectations for Missouri forage producers during Drought 2018. MU Extension and Natural Resources Conservation Service partnered to help a Novelty farmer succeed.

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Agonomists work with a farmer to plan a cropland conversion.

A new partnership

Converting cropland to pastureland is no simple task. MU Extension and the National Resources Conservation Service have partnered to help farmers get the most out of the effort.

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Ammoniating hay demonstration.

Improving forages

Livestock producers can stretch short supplies of hay this year by using a simple ammonia treatment on bales.

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Improving grassland sustainability in Missouri

The NRCS + MU Grasslands Project was formed in 2017 as a collaboration between two organizations: the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and University of Missouri Extension (MU).

This cooperative project combines experts from both organizations to provide technical advice and education on grazing plans, soil health, native warm season grasses and National Resource Inventory (NRI). The goal of the NRCS + MU Grasslands Project is to improve grassland sustainability in Missouri while strengthening, increasing and encouraging the voluntary approach and participation of private landowners in NRCS programs.

Work on this agreement (PDF) supports Farm Bill conservation programs such as the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

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Hay tests can be a useful tool for producers

Gene Schmitz, a University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist, has seen a lot of variety in hay samples this year. He says hay testing can be a good idea for producers.

Choose Corn Silage

Silage has been on my radar in recent months. Ironically enough, I have no personal experience with silage. While my dad and my grandpa would cut some silage for their dairy herd, by the time I came along the dairy cattle were replaced with beef ...

"We're Still in a Drought" Ozark Farmers Struggle to Feed Cattle

The University of Missouri extension council organized meetings to give farmers ways to survive the drought with programs focused on how to supplement low-quality hay, alternative food options and assessing prices.

2018 drought differs from 2012 in varied impact, says MU economist

For Missouri farms affected this year, it’s bad. But overall it’s not like 2012, a drought that changed the farm economy.

Adding Red Clover to Pasture Reaps Benefits

Red clover is a short-lived perennial legume, which is widely utilized in Missouri. It is well adapted to the soil and climate of the Midwest. Clover is easy to establish in cool season grass pastures and hay fields because it can withstand shading ...

Alternative Forages for Winter Feed

Cool season grass hay production is below average this year due to very cool April temperatures followed by very warm May temperatures. A limited amount of hay was carried over from the previous year, resulting in a short hay supply for the 2018-2019 ...

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