If your farm has been in your family since Dec. 31, 1925, you can apply to have it recognized as a Missouri Century Farm. more

Darrell and LaDonna Shirey of Humansville, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Friday, Feb. 14. Darrell and LaDonna met at Robert Brothers Sale Barn in Bolivar where Darrell worked as a young man. They were married on Feb. 14, 1975. They have both been active in church at First Christian Church throughout their years together. Darrell retired from Hiland Dairy, they also both worked at Citizens Memorial Hospital where LaDonna retired. Darrell and LaDonna are blessed with three children and their spouses and three grandchildren. more

Caleb Simpson, an Agribusiness Management major at the University of Missouri – Columbia, won the 2024 Missouri Farm Bureau “Young Farmers and Ranchers” Collegiate Discussion Meet during the 110th annual MOFB meeting in December. Simpson received a plaque and $300, as well as an all-expense paid trip to the 2025 American Farm Bureau YF&R conference to represent Missouri in the national collegiate discussion meet. Simpson also served as Missouri Farm Bureau Ambassador for 2024 along with Madison Meyer of Dearborn, Missouri. In addition to his studies, Simpson works part time in the office of Senator Sandy Crawford at the Missouri State Capitol. He is the son of Alan and Sandy Simpson of Bolivar. more

The Polk County Cattlemen’s Association monthly meeting will be held Feb. 12, at 6:30 p.m. at LimeBank in Bolivar. The meeting is sponsored by Vitalix with a presentation by Travis Taylor, District Sales Manager, MO. Also speaking will be Polk County Jr. Cattleman, Ben Hines, and MSU Collegiate Cattleman, Chase Boggs, about their backgrounds and the Collegiate Cattlemen Showdown they both recently competed in and placed. We encourage all members to attend. NOt a member but interested in more information about what we do or how to join the Cattlemen’s Association? We welcome you to come to the meeting at Smith’s Restaurant, visit the Missouri Cattlemen’ Association website online at www.mocattle.org or call Ed Vest, Polk County Cattlemen’s Association president at 417-399-1430 for more information. more

Monday, Feb. 3, the Polk County Extension Council held their annual meeting and dinner. Along with swearing in the new officers, they recognized the Century Farm families and the Polk County State Fair family. more

“Pastures and cattle management are very important to the profitability and sustainability of cattle operations in Cedar County and the surrounding areas,” says Patrick Davis, MU Extension Livestock Field Specialist. Furthermore, education to manage these aspects of your cattle operation properly could enhance its profitability. Therefore, MU Extension, Cedar County Soil and Water Conservation District and Cedar County Farm Bureau are cooperating to provide the Cedar County Livestock and Forage Conference on Feb. 27, at 5:30 p.m. at the Stockton United Methodist Church Family Life Center at 708 State Hwy 32, Stockton. more

“Adding value to your cattle helps make your cattle operation profitable,” says Patrick Davis MU Extension Livestock Field Specialist. Therefore, MU Extension is partnering with Missouri State University to provide the SW MO Beef Cattle Conference, which will educate cattle producers on strategies that will add value to their beef cattle operation. more

Red Dirt country artist Stoney LaRue is set to take the stage as the headliner for the Missouri Beef Days concert on Saturday, May 10. Known for his soulful voice, heartfelt lyrics and electrifying performances, LaRue promises to deliver an evening of music that fans will not want to miss. more

The Missouri Cattlemen’s Convention, held at Margaritaville in Osage Beach on Jan. 17 and 18, showcased some of the finest leaders and rising stars in Missouri’s cattle industry. The event, which attracts cattlemen and women from across the state, celebrated achievements in advocacy, education, and community involvement. more

“Adding value to your cattle helps make your cattle operation profitable,” says Patrick Davis MU Extension Livestock Field Specialist. Therefore, MU Extension is partnering with Missouri State University to provide the SW MO Beef Cattle Conference, which will educate cattle producers on strategies that will add value to their beef cattle operation. more

Troop 45 Pack 128 will host a Pinewood Derby from 12 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Bolivar Elks Lodge. The event will feature a build-your-own Lego car class for the kids to build on-site. more

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension economist Ben Brown and others predict 2025 corn prices will drop below $4.50 per bushel. more

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Improving fertility in cows involves leveraging genetic selection and advanced genomic tools to enhance reproductive performance. more

The season included seven non-fatal, firearms-related hunting incidents. more

Lace up those running shoes, get out of the den and let the polar bear run during the 46th annual Polar Bear Run on Saturday, Feb. 8. more

Cold weather has moved into Missouri quickly with no plans of leaving soon, according to forecasts. more

Stockton, MO-“Adding value to your cattle helps make your cattle operation profitable,” says Patrick Davis MU Extension Livestock Field Specialist. Therefore, MU Extension is partnering with Missouri State University to provide the SW MO Beef Cattle Conference, which will educate cattle producers on strategies that will add value to their beef cattle operation. more

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director CED Karen Stillings in Polk and Dallas County reminds producers that FSA is now accepting applications for the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) for grazing losses due to drought. The deadline to apply for 2024 LFP assistance is Jan. 30, 2025. more

“Adding value to your cattle helps make your cattle operation profitable,” says Patrick Davis MU Extension Livestock Field Specialist. Therefore, MU Extension is partnering with Missouri State University to provide the SW MO Beef Cattle Conference, which will educate cattle producers on strategies that will add value to their beef cattle operation. more

The SW MO Spring Forage Conference will be held Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, at the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center, 2546 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, Missouri. more

“Adding value to your cattle helps make your cattle operation profitable,” says Patrick Davis MU Extension Livestock Field Specialist. Therefore, MU Extension is partnering with Missouri State University to provide the SW MO Beef Cattle Conference, which will educate cattle producers on strategies that will add value to their beef cattle operation. more

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – When used in controlled, supervised conditions, fire can be a beneficial land management tool. However, it’s important to stress that prescribed fire involves planning and on-site management. more

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director CED Karen Stillings in Polk and Dallas County reminds producers that FSA is now accepting applications for the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) for grazing losses due to drought. The deadline to apply for 2024 LFP assistance is Jan. 30, 2025. more

The SW MO Spring Forage Conference will be held Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center, 2546 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, Missouri. more

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri soybean farmers should be on the lookout for several species of stink bugs in 2025, says University of Missouri Extension state crops entomologist Ivair Valmorbida. more