Farm Help

As you begin planning for new or upgraded electric fencing this spring, be sure to remember the importance of lightning protection as well as proper wire selection.

A tough summer and fall are turning into a tough winter for Ozarks ranchers, as tight and expensive feed supplies have left many cows in poor condition for rebreeding. According to Dave Patterson, University of Missouri Professor of Animal Science, the optimum body condition score for cows heading into calving season would be 5-7, particularly for younger cows. “They’ve got the added requirements for their own growth, plus maintenance, plus lactation,” Patterson told Ozarks Farm & Neighbor. “It puts an extra strain on those cows in terms covering all those bases and still being able to get back into condition for rebreeding.”

Management is a key element in the success of any business, including farming. A look at basic factors in farm management can pinpoint areas of management on your farm that may need attention.

What should you be doing in terms of forage management this time of year? According to Myron Hartzell, Natural Resources Conservation Service grassland specialist, you should be planning for the upcoming year.

Drought conditions in regions throughout the Ozarks have placed a great deal of pressure on cattle ranchers and dairy farmers, particularly in regards to the cost and availability of hay this winter.

"Nutrient requirements are highly variable depending on the animal and their stage of production,” said Justin Sexten, extension assistant professor and state extension specialist of beef nutrition for the University of Missouri’s Division of Animal Sciences. “It is important to recognize your cow’s nutrient needs and prioritize feed rations.” 

"All fields, both pastures and hayfields, should be tested every 3 to 4 years, especially if the fertility historically has been marginal on those fields,” said Tim Schnakenberg, regional agronomy specialist for the University of Missouri’s Stone County Extension Center.

"Having your soil tested is the foundation to knowing what fertilizer amounts your pastures and grazing forages need,” said Leo Espinoza, University of Arkansas extension soil scientist.

Drought conditions in regions throughout the Ozarks have placed a great deal of pressure on cattle ranchers and dairy farmers, particularly in regards to the cost and availability of hay this winter.

Organic food production has been increasing at a pace several times faster than that of the overall food supply. Some sectors are growing faster than others; dairy products typically have been the most popular organic foodstuffs in the supermarket, followed by fruits and vegetables. But organic broilers are coming on fast; according to the University of Arkansas, production grew by more than 16,500 percent in just six years, rising from 38,000 birds in 1997 to 6.3 million in 2003.