The 411 on Fencing
When it comes to fencing, there is always a job to be done to maintain a quality fence.
Facility Financing Offered to Farmers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Storage Facility Loan Program (FSFL) provides low-interest loans for producers to build or upgrade permanent farm storage and handling facilities to store commodities they grow on their farm. “Loans can be used for items such as cold storage equipment for fruits and vegetables, hay barns, grain storage and handling structures, safety and drying equipment and equipment necessary for the function of the structure,” said Lisa Allen, price support specialist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Missouri Farm Service Agency State Office. “Eligible commodities include grains, oilseeds, peanuts, pulse crops, hay, honey, renewable biomass commodities, fruits, nuts and vegetables.”
Face Off Against Face Flies
Fuel Savings Considerations
Machinery and Maintenance
In order to conserve fuel and machinery energy use, Willard Downs, program chair for agricultural systems management, extension agricultural engineer at the University of Missouri and director of the Missouri AgrAbility Project; recommended that all tires on any machinery or vehicles be inflated to the recommended pressure, under-inflated tires waste energy. Additionally, air filters need to be changed on recommended schedules. He also outlines the following recommendations:
Financial Balance
Considering Cool-Season Grasses?
It's kind of a Catch-22 – if you can afford to wait longer, you have a better chance of establishing a stand of winter annuals. But the purpose of establishing the stand is often because you need the forage, and quickly.
Mob Grazing
Doug Peterson, a Grassland Conservationist for the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), has traveled far and wide to speak to various groups and organizations about high density grazing, more commonly referred to as ‘mob grazing.'
Best Nitrogen in High Fertilizer Times
Turkey litter and broiler litter have similar content of N, P2O5 and K2O. Variability of nutrient content can be quite large between samples so it is always a good idea to get a lab test showing the nutrient content. A rule of thumb is that about 40 to 50 percent of the N in poultry litter is lost or is unavailable to crops when the litter is surface applied so that must be factored in for fertilizer application. If the litter is incorporated, little N loss can be expected. Another important point is to know what current soil fertility levels are in fields where litter is to be applied. Even though the combined value of N, P, and K in litter can be as much as $80/ton (as shown in Graph 1.1) that value is less if soil test levels of P and K are high. In soils with high P and K levels, no crop response would be expected from additional P and K so then the value of litter would only be for the nitrogen content. Table 1.1 (page 39) shows the nutrient content of various fertilizer materials.
The Truth Under the Blanket
When it comes to blanketing your horse during colder temperatures the first question should be, should you even blanket your horse? Dr. Martha Rasch, clinical instructor and equine ambulatory specialist at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, suggests you should observe the overall comfort of the animal and use that as a gauge. “When horses are blanketed prematurely, they will often start sweating or even panting underneath the blanket,” she added. “A horse should never be over-blanketed because the sweat will actually often make them colder overall.”
