VETERINARY FEED DIRECTIVE (VFD)

New laws that may impact you will take effect December 31, 2016
What is VFD?  How will I obtain VFD feed?  Do I need to have VFD feed? Why?

Get answers to these questions (PDF)

Beef Cattle Redbooks Available from MU Extension

Please call our office 417-581-3558 or one of the offices listed below if you are interested in purchasing a copy.
The popular, pocket-sized record book for beef cattle owners is now available at many University of Missouri Extension Centers.
The book dates back to the mid-1980's and was a product of the Idaho Integrated Reproductive Management (IRM) program. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association was involved in the early book development.
Missouri began promoting the use of the books a couple years later. The Missouri plan was to retrieve production data from the books in an attempt to build a profile of the strengths and weaknesses of the state's cow-calf enterprise.
The book is best used for recording field information in the calving pasture, at the head chute or the scale. Later, that data can be transferred to a computer program or a loose-leaf notebook.
The book sells for $6 and the supply is limited. Sponsors of the book are University of Missouri Extension and the Missouri Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifers Inc.
For more information, contact any of the MU Extension livestock specialists in southwest Missouri: Eldon Cole in Lawrence County, (417) 466-3102; Andy McCorkill in Dallas County at (417) 345-7551; Dr. Randy Wiedmeier, in Douglas County at (417) 679-3525; or Dr. Patrick Davis in Cedar County at (417) 276-3313. 

Newsletters and video

• Ag in Focus — A bi-monthly newsletter for agriculture producers written by MU Extension agriculture specialists covering west central Missouri
• Ag News and Views — A monthly newsletter written by MU Extension agriculture specialists covering southwest Missouri
• Beef Newsletter — A monthly newsletter written by Eldon Cole, MU Extension livestock specialist in southwest Missouri
• NE MO Ag Connection — A monthly newsletter written by MU Extension agriculture specialists covering northeast Missouri
• SC MO Ag News — A monthly newsletter written by MU Extension agriculture specialists covering south central Missouri
• Farmland — Get a first-hand glimpse of how agriculture really works. See lesson plans for high school students.

Agriculture business management

• AgEBB (Agricultural Electronic Bulletin Board) — University of Missouri-operated site provides marketing information, agriculture software, weather reports and more
• Ag Engineering Edge — Useful tips and timely advice about structures, ventilation, energy management, water and waste systems, forage and soil conservation, machinery and safety from Bob Schultheis, MU Extension natural resource engineering specialist based in southwest Missouri.
• Agricultural Software Directory — This directory lists all known agricultural software packages that are distributed in North America.
• Farm Lease Forms — Ag Lease 101 for both land owners and operators from the North Central Extension Farm Management Committee
• Missouri Agricultural Statistics Service
• Missouri Alternatives Center (MAC) — Information on alternative agriculture enterprises
• Value-Added Agriculture Marketing Resource Center — This national information resource for value-added agriculture is hosted by Iowa State University and has general and commodity-specific information on value-added businesses, marketing opportunities, and access to consultants. Call toll-free 1-866-277-5567.
• Agriculture and Livestock Apps - Changing the Face of Farm Management (PDF)

Livestock, poultry and forages

• Anthrax — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Backyard Chickens — Resources from a 2011 Workshop in Springfield, Mo.
• Breeds of Livestock — A collection from Oklahoma State University of breed information on cattle, horses, goats, sheep, swine, etc.,
• Forage Sampling for Best Results (PDF) — Steps for proper forage sampling
  • Understanding Your Forage Test — How to interpret forage test lab results
• Goat Resources from Land-Grant Universities — eXtension
• Missouri Beef Resource Guide — University of Missouri site is intended to provide the most comprehensive source of information for Missouri's beef industry
• Calf Book recordkeeping software — Free Microsoft Excel worksheet from National Cattlemen's Beef Association to enter your calf records
• Missouri Dairy Resource Guide — University of Missouri site contains the best source of practical dairy information targeted for Missouri's dairy producers
• Missouri Grazing Wedge — A key tool for managing feed on a pasture based dairy farm, it visually represents the quality and quantity of forage dry matter available both now and during the next round of grazing
• Sheep Resources from Land-Grant Universities — eXtension
• Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers (PDF) — USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
• Watering Systems for Serious Graziers (PDF) — USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
   

Popular MU Guides/Extension Publications:

MU Ext. Publication G302, 2012 Custom Rates/Farm Services in MO
MU Ext. Publication G427, 2015 Cash Rental Rates in MO