COVER STORY - The Little River Lookout inclusive playground in Leon, Iowa, was constructed during a six-day, community-build process earlier this summer. MFA Incorporated’s Ag Experience interns assisted in the project, funded in part by a grant from the MFA Incorporated Charitable Foundation.
by Makenna Stundebeck, MFA Communications intern.

Four decades for cooperatives
Longevity of leadership earns MFA’s Rick Brune a place in the MIC Hall of Fame

Passing the test
MFA replicated trials advance new MorCorn hybrids, MorSoy varieties
by Garrett Imhoff, Hadlee Swope and Koby Charles

2024 MFA Foundation Scholarships
MFA replicated trials advance new MorCorn hybrids, MorSoy varieties

Faces of farming
Kristi Urich, co-owner/ operator of Urich Farms
by Allison Jenkins

Food for thought
Growing wildlife plots takes planning and preparation
Story and photos by Allison Jenkins

Opinions and Columns

COUNTRY CORNER
Asked to take an ag survey? Make it count.
by Allison Jenkins

UPFRONT / Blog
‘Summer’s Best Story’ begins Aug. 8 at the Missouri State Fair
Agriculture, autism and education
Annual survey offers critical insights into farmland value trends across Missouri

AGRONOMY
Don’t rush plans to control brush
By David Moore, MFA range and pasture specialist

LIVESTOCK
Handle calves with care to reduce weaning stress
By Dr. Jim White, MFA Director of Nutrition.

MARKETS
Crush margins have been bright. Will it continue?
Cattle prices continue to rise higher

RECIPES
Turn up the heat

VIEWPOINT
A focus on youth is a focus on the future
By Ernie Verslues, MFA President and CEO

Digital Editor's Note: This issue will be launched story by story on the website. Some of the articles will be hosted on the MFA Incorporated website so the links will launch a second window. The print issue of the Augus/September shipped the last week of July.

Weeds of any kind, especially brush species, steal grass from pasture and hay producers in significant quantities. 

For every pound of broadleaf weeds controlled, grass production typically increases by about 2 pounds. The return is even better on brush. We usually get 3-plus pounds of increased grass for every pound of brush controlled. This happens by eliminating the competition for water and plant food nutrients.

There are some key differences between controlling weeds and controlling brush. Most, but not all, weeds can be satisfactorily controlled with a timely application of DuraCor, a broad-spectrum broadleaf herbicide labeled for almost 150 weeds. DuraCor can be applied by spraying or by blending (impregnating) into fertilizer. Sprayed applications are usually a little better, but both methods generally provide satisfactory control. When it comes to brush, however, all applications will be sprayed. Trying to achieve any kind of brush control via dry fertilizer impregnation will not have good results.

For brush control, we frequently need to create a plan and then follow the plan until the desired results are achieved. Patience is key, because that plan might encompass two or more years. It’s like writing a prescription to remedy the situation, one that provides the most bang for your buck.

For the most part, brush-control season has three opening dates:

June 15 is when we should start tackling brush-control tasks. The timing is right to control locust and hedge with DuraCor and Remedy. We can spray hedge sprouts until the end of September, but I like to finish spraying locust by the end of August when it begins to lose leaves. When spraying any brush, the leaves are the conduit to pull herbicide into the woody stem and eventually to the roots, where real control occurs.

July 1 is a good time to begin spraying most other tree species, such as oak, hickory, pear and persimmon, and we can continue to spray effectively until early September. Most tree sprouts and other woody species will respond to Remedy, Tordon or Starane. Remember, just because a herbicide is used on brush does not mean that it kills all brush. For example, Remedy has nearly zero impact on buckbrush.

This is where we begin to fine-tune a plan for the brush species you are dealing with. For instance, the recipe for oak and hickory control will be 3 pints Remedy and 2 pints Tordon 22K, using Astute Xtra as the surfactant. If you’re after a flush of pear or persimmon, use 3 pints of Surmount. Work with your local MFA representative to make a plan. We also have “cheat sheets” to get you started in the right direction, listing product, quantity and timing. If you have one or two species, these guides will usually point the way. To control multiple species with different herbicide and/or timing requirements, reach out to me or your local MFA for advice.

Sept. 1 kicks off spraying blackberries. We used to spray them in late May with mixed results and then have to spot spray in September to clean up survivors. When we move spray timing to September, or even early October, we get good control in one application. Either DuraCor plus Remedy or Chaparral plus Remedy will usually do the trick.

Some of my rules for success on brush control are:

• Do not bush hog for one to two years before spraying. You need plenty of leaves to absorb the herbicide.
• The rate should include 20 gallons of water per acre at a minimum for brush.
• Spray booms or boomless nozzles need to be above the leaves you want to spray.
• Adding the right surfactant, such as Astute Xtra, is every bit as important as the right herbicide.
• Do not change the recommended herbicide rate, up or down. An increase might burn off the leaves before the herbicide can enter the stem, and a decrease might mean sick brush but not dead.
• For woody species, do not bush hog until you see desired control. That won’t happen for at least a year. Be patient and see what might grow next year.

Controlling brushy competition and a fall fertilizer application can be the one-two punch to help you finish your forage year strong. Contact me at dmoore@mfa-inc.com or your local MFA to write a prescription that best fits your operation.  

MORE - IN THIS AUGUST-SEPTEMBER ISSUE OF TODAY'S FARMER MAGAZINE - CLICK HERE.

Late summer provides a welcome beat between busy seasons for farm families—it’s a time for fairs and time together as we can see the demands of harvest and the rhythms of school on the horizon.

From my perspective, county and state fairs are more than just summer events. They’re part of what makes rural culture. At the fair, we watch youth learn responsibility and perseverance, a couple of the more potent ingredients of common sense.

So, to all who took part in these events this year, I offer congrat- ulations. While earning that grand champion or award ribbon is an honor, the real wins are in the journey. Good work on the prepara- tion, participation and learning.

MFA is committed to supporting youth and rural communities more than just at fair time. As this magazine goes to press, we are wrapping up the Ag Experience, MFA’s summer internship program.

Ag Experience seeks to bring more than just a business and skills perspective, though. We want to teach cooperative values. Along with gaining valuable professional experience, this year’s interns contrib- uted to our community service tradition. You can see some of their efforts on page 18 of this issue, highlighting the Ag Experience team at work helping to build a playground in Leon, Iowa.

It’s all part of a bigger picture. Some of the funding for that park project came through a grant from the MFA Charitable Foundation. The foundation supports community projects in rural communities where MFA Incorpo- rated operates. In fact, at fair time, you can see some of that community support at work. For the past three years, the MFA Charitable Foundation has partnered with Missouri FFA to provide grants that support individual students’ supervised agricultural experiences. Whether it’s in the show ring or in project displays, it’s great to see those students’ efforts show up at county fairs.

At the beginning of this column, I mentioned late summer as a preview for fall, and for many, by the time you read this, school time will be here. The MFA Foundation Scholar- ship program, highlighted on page 28, once again will help with tuition bills for first-year college students. Since 1965, this program has provided financial assistance to over 15,500 college and university students from rural communities. 

I highlight the points above because, especially in agriculture, the investment we make in youth will pay dividends to our industry and the family farms we depend on. What’s harder to highlight individually are the many MFA members and employees who volun- teer their time and expertise at county fairs, helping build pens, judging competitions and generally supporting local events.                    

Thank you for your investment.

-Ernie Verslues
MFA President and CEO

CLICK TO READ MORE of this August / September Today's Farmer magazine issue.

Growing wildlife plots takes planning and preparation

Food plots are an excellent way to attract and retain deer and other wildlife in a desired area, but success doesn’t happen without planning and preparation.

That’s the approach Tyler Busker, MFA crop consultant, takes when establishing forages to enhance wildlife viewing and hunting on his own property near Fayette, Mo. Just like the advice he gives growers for produc- ing a cash crop, Busker says factors such as location, timing, fertility and planting method lay the groundwork for an effective food plot.

“If you’re going to take the time and expense to put in a food plot, you might as well do it right,” Busker said. “I think a lot of food plots fail because there’s not enough consideration for the management practices it takes to make them successful.”

Choosing a suitable spot is a good starting point, he said. Areas near wildlife habitats that provide protective cover are ideal for food plots. How- ever, he cautions not to choose a location just because it’s where the deer population is most abundant. “You need to be sure the soil profile will allow your food plot to grow and be productive,” Busker said.

When a location is selected, the next step is to take a soil test. Adjusting the soil pH and nutrient needs according to test results can make a world of difference in crop performance, Busker said. “Before you plant anything, figure out what you need fertility-wise,” he said. “That’s the MFA way, and it’s a good thing. You want to get an idea of what nutrients you’ll need, especially since a lot of food plots tend to be placed on less-productive ground.”

New seedlings can’t compete with established plants, so Busker recom- mends killing existing weeds and other vegetation with herbicide. For his plots, he then burns the dead vegetation and disks the plot to reduce resi- due and allow for good seed-to-soil contact.

“If you terminate the stand with herbicide and then drill your seed, that will also work,” Busker said. “We don’t have a drill, so we’ve always sprayed the plot, burned it and then worked the ground. I try to spray about three weeks ahead of when I want to burn it so that grass is absolutely crispy.”

Dragging, raking or cultipacking can help further smooth the seedbed for planting. Busker’s family simply uses a chain link panel pulled behind an ATV.

Other establishment decisions, such as seeding rate and timing, will largely depend on the forage mix being planted. Busker typically uses a combination of purple-top turnips, Daikon radishes, clover and wheat.

“I like the variety because it gives me a better chance of attracting the deer through a wider window,” he said. “The deer may like one thing more than the others, or maybe there will be something that they like earlier or later in the season.”

Soil test results and seed choice should guide fertilizer decisions, including key nutrients of phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen. While he does follow soil test recommendations, Busker said he also believes in pushing nitrogen fertilization in his plots, especially when planting turnips, which respond well to the nutrient. He prefers to use SuperU, a granular nitrogen fertilizer with a stabilizer to protect from losses.    

“We’ll put on P and K as the soil test calls for, but regardless, we always put on nitrogen. I like at least 50 pounds of actual nitrogen fertilizer per acre,” he said. “The turnips love it.”                

As for timing, Busker said he’s found that early August to early September is the sweet spot for good plot establishment before killing frosts. However, the date isn’t as important as the weather forecast, he added.                      

“I always like to plant after Aug. 1 just ahead of the first really good rain chance we get,” he said. “I’m in central Missouri, so you might want to plant a little earlier or later, depending on your location, but try really hard to have it in before a rain. That moisture is key. We struggled with drought last fall, and our plots suffered because of it.”

The food plot size and equipment will dictate how the seed should be planted. For small tucked-away hunting plots, a hand-cranked spreader can work well. Larger plots may war- rant a vehicle-mounted spreader, planter or no-till drill. Busker uses a spinner broadcast spreader mounted to the back of a four-wheeler.                      

He also adds pelletized lime to the mix, not only to enrich the soil but also to help the tiny forage seeds to spread more easily and accurately.                  

“Because the seed is so small, it’s really hard to broadcast evenly over the course of an acre or two-acre plot,” he said. “I typically like to have a rate of 100 pounds per acre of pelletized lime in with my seed.”          

In any case, take the time to properly weigh the correct amount of seed for the space, according to the recommended rate for each species and mixture. If broadcasting, it’s OK to lean toward the heavy end of the rate, but in general, more is not better. Overcrowded seed will fail to establish and thrive. Aim for an even seed distribution pattern, and if broadcasting, crisscross both directions (north to south, and east to west).

After planting, cultipack, drag or roll the plots to press the seed firmly into the soil. Small seeds like clover and brassicas should be planted only 1⁄8 to 1⁄4 inch deep, and large seeds like cereals, peas and buckwheat should go 1⁄2 to 1 inch deep.

Purposeful calf management practices can reduce weaning stress and help ensure a successful program

Late summer and early fall is when we approach the season for weaning calves and introducing new cattle to feedlots. 

The actions taken during this period have a significant impact on the calves’ well-being and performance. A good nutrition program and a smooth transition to their new surroundings are crucial in maintaining health, performance and profitability.

Weaning is a significant event in a calf’s life that can result in serious stress. It marks the point where the calf is separated from its mother and must learn to rely on its own resources to survive. It can be a traumatic experience that leaves them feeling timid and anxious.

Calves are also often exposed to a range of other stressors during weaning, including transportation, vaccinations, commingling and being moved to a new environment. These changes can be overwhelming and lead to stress-related health issues, such as weight loss, reduced immunity and increased susceptibility to disease.

Another source of stress during weaning is a change in nutrition. Before weaning, calves rely on their mother’s milk and pasture for nourishment. After weaning, calves must adjust to a new diet, which can consist of unfamiliar feedstuffs. The transition can be difficult, often causing reduced appetite, digestive issues and weight loss.

Prior to weaning, calves will commonly gain 2 pounds a day. To keep calves on a positive growth trajectory during the high-stress days post-weaning, producers need to closely monitor factors such as water and feed intake, mineral availability, pest pressure and environmental stress.

Calves need to consume a significant amount of water to maintain their health and growth. It’s essential to provide clean, fresh water and ensure there’s enough quantity for all calves. The refill rate should be adequate for the number of calves in the pen, especially for those who are more hesitant to drink from unfamiliar water sources.

Bunk space is another essential factor for calf growth and development. Calves need adequate space to consume feed and water. The recommended bunk space is 8 to 12 inches per calf. When calves have adequate access to feed and water, intake is more likely to increase.

New arrivals may eat poorly for the first few days until they become accustomed to their new surroundings, pen mates and ration. Abrupt changes in feed can disrupt rumen function, which can lead to digestive problems. To overcome this issue, it’s crucial to provide a nutrient-dense diet with adequate protein, energy, vitamins and minerals to overcome their low intake. Feeding calves long-stemmed forage can increase saliva intake, which helps buffer the rumen and allows its microbes to function more efficiently.

During the first two to three weeks after weaning, it’s important to read bunks, monitor ration dry matter changes and deliver feed at the same time every day to help calves transition to a new plane of nutrition. Let the calves tell you when they’re ready to take the next step. It’s also important to include a postbiotic feed additive, such as MFA Ricochet minerals with Shield Technology, to help restore the microbial population and promote rumen health. Not only can this help calves with consistent feed intake, but it can also improve rumen function and overall health and well-being.

Every year, I see more stress tubs or lick tubs used for weaning and receiving cattle. These are placed in the pen to help calves that are coming to the bunk hesitantly or hanging back. The tubs tend to be nutrient dense and soft and are designed to boost fermentable carbohydrate, fat, vitamin, mineral and protein supplementation while improving rumen function and helping calves get on feed.

Purposeful calf management practices can reduce weaning stress and help ensure a successful program. Work with your MFA livestock representative and veterinarian to ensure an appropriate feed ration and animal health protocol to prime calves to stay healthy and gain weight as they transition into the next phase of life. 

CLICK TO READ MORE FROM THIS AUG/SEPTEMBER ISSUE OF TODAY'S FARMER

Delighting in Dairy
First-generation farmer Dennis Schnell finds harmony with nature, milk and cows
By Jessica Ekern

MFA interns off to a busy start
Ag Experience program offers college students opportunities for growth
By Allison Jenkins

Purposeful precision
Nutri-Track helps Darrell Ragsdale manage risk, improve forage production
by Alllison Jenkins

Farm-to-terminal contracts elevate grain marketing
Popular option allows growers, MFA to benefit from direct shipments to buyers
by Allison Jenkins

In full bloom
MFA grant helps Willow Springs ag students experience the growing cycle from start to finish
by Jessica Ekern

Faces of farming
Quentin Blackford, senior grain originator, MFA Northwest Group
by Allison Jenkins

OPINION & COLUMNS

Country Corner
Artificial intelligence must be used wisely
by Allison Jenkins

UPFRONT/BLOG
Traps help track plant pests
Field day will focus on 4Rs
New Missouri Agriculture Stewardship Award will recognize best practices
in farmland management
 
AGRONOMY
Selecting seed is no simple decision
By Cameron Horine

LIVESTOCK
Six ways to help avoid the ‘silage slump’
By Dr. Jim White

MARKETS
Supply forecast presents pricing opportunities
U.S. remains world’s largest beef producer

RECIPES
Cherry picking

VIEWPOINT
Be mindful of agriculture’s safety, stress risks
By Ernie Verslues

Click to view the June/July issue in flip book form as originally printed.

First-generation dairy farmer Dennis Schnell finds harmony with nature, milk and cows

Sunshine makes happy cows and happy dairy farmers.

In the warm light of late spring, the grass grows, the mud dries up and Holstein cows graze green pastures to the delight of Dennis Schnell, a first-generation dairy farmer in Sturgeon, Mo.

“This has always been my dream,” said Schnell, who grew up in the area. “My father was a schoolteacher, so I did not have a farming background, but it was some-
thing that I always wanted to do.”

Schnell started his career in the construction industry, but his thoughts kept returning to working with livestock. In 1992, he and his wife, Becki, purchased a farm and began to build what was needed to make that dream a reality.

“There was nothing here when we bought it,” Schnell said. “We built everything from scratch and started milking at the beginning of 2000.”
For the past 24 years, Schnell has been learning new lessons about farming and running a Grade A operation that meets Dairy Farmers of America’s “Gold Standard” program guidelines.

“I’ve got to be honest, that first year of milking, we learned a lot real quick. I was greener than green. It was a challenge,” Schnell said. “There’s a lot to running a dairy.”
Calving was one of those lessons, he said. “I had some experience with beef cows and knew they calve pretty easily,” Schnell said. “Well, these Holstein cows like to build big calves. You have to live with them when they are calving.”

Schnell established his dairy farm with two herds—one from Southwest Missouri and the other from Kansas.

“We started with 55 cows that we didn’t know. You learn quickly which one is your trouble cow, which one is the good milker and which one likes to kick,” Schnell said. “Cows are like people. Each one has a different personality. Some you click with. Some you wish would go on down the road, but if she is a good milker, you keep her.”

Building relationships
Today, the Schnell Dairy herd mainly consists of Holsteins raised from those first cows he purchased more than two decades ago. Settling into a modest business model that has proven successful for their farm, the Schnells are currently milking around 70 cows once a day.

“The most we’ve ever milked was 150, and that was way too much,” Schnell said. “Sometimes you think bigger is better. That is not always true. A good number of cows for us is 80 to 100 because of the acreage we have and the bunk space. Seventy just works nicely.”

Healthy pastures and quality hay supply the bulk of the herd’s diet, with Schnell using multiple paddocks for rotational grazing.

“If it wasn’t for the grass, we wouldn’t be in business,” he said. “We try to graze at least nine months out of the year because it makes for happy cows. They are out there eating and naturally spreading the manure, which lightens the load in the barn.”

To help balance out his cows’ forage-based diet, Schnell also feeds a total mixed ration (TMR) to deliver all the necessary proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals for nutritious, quality milk production.

“We don’t push our cows, so we sacrifice some on milk production,” Schnell said. “I’m happy if I get 4 to 5 gallons of milk (per cow, per day). There’s a fine line there. How much feed do you throw at them to make it work?”

Schnell works with MFA Agri Services in Centralia and Clark, Mo., for spraying, seed and fertilizer for his forages and some feed for his cows.

“I appreciate MFA, and they help us complete the circle with our business. Our schedule just doesn’t allow us the time to do the spraying,” Schnell said. “Plus, with 800 acres, it really doesn’t make sense for us to own the big machinery, so we depend on MFA for assistance.”

During challenging times in the industry, Schnell has worked to improve the quality of his pastures and find ways to keep his feed costs down. One way is by using spent grain from two local breweries, Logboat and Bur Oak, and grape pulp from Les Bourgeois Winery in his ration.

“These relationships have proven to be invaluable,” Schnell said. “We thank them for their spent grain and pulp which helps supplement our TMR. When you drink locally made wine and beer, it benefits our cows!”

Milking it
The milking process begins early each morning and takes about three hours. The Schnells have a double-five herringbone parlor, allowing 10 cows to be milked at once. Schnell and his son, Alex, work together in the pit, cleaning and disinfecting teats before attaching each milking claw. The father-son duo manages each milking with a steady, efficient synchronicity. The humming of the machines and country music playing in the background add to the harmony in the barn.

“It’s a pretty simple milking system,” Schnell said. “We bought all used equipment when we started to help keep our costs low. It’s still running for us today.”
Every two days, a hauler collects the milk, which is delivered to Central Dairy in Jefferson City. Those bulk sales account for about 85% of Schnell’s product. The other 15% is sold directly to consumers as farm-fresh milk by the half-gallon or gallon. In Missouri, raw milk can legally be sold from a producer to an individual for personal use.

“About 10 years ago, I had a lady call me and ask if she could buy real milk from my dairy,” Schnell said. “She bought 5 gallons of farm-fresh milk each week, and I still sell to her today. The direct sale to our clients has been a lifeline for us.”

All in the numbers
As the number of Missouri dairies dwindles, producers like Schnell look for new ways “to make it work.” According to the University of Missouri Extension, there were 2,182 permitted dairy farms in 2001. That number shrunk to 525 in 2022, with only 393 Grade A farms.

“It’s difficult to compete with the big guys,” Schnell said. “Little farmers definitely help feed America, too, and we do what we can to hang on. Small family farms can provide food and products to communities, something we all saw during COVID.”

Schnell’s fresh milk business has grown by word of mouth, and he estimates some 50 to 60 customers visit the farm to purchase milk weekly.

“We’ve been through many ups and downs—droughts, extreme rain, financial crisis, COVID—so that forces you to think outside the box,” Schnell said.

After several different ideas, Schnell decided to purchase a refrigerated van and designate a location to deliver his fresh milk to customers. “We put out a really good product, and there are a lot of people who want real milk,” he explained. “I’m providing quality food for families, and that makes me feel good.”

For the past few months, Schnell has been running a “milk route” to deliver his farm-fresh milk to consumers in Columbia twice a week and Harrisburg once a week and is looking to add Centralia and Mexico. He charges $5 a gallon with a $5 deposit on his half-gallon jars.

The venture is one way Schnell is hoping to preserve the family farm for the next generation. Alex is finishing his college degree while helping his father with farm chores as well as milking every day.

“I have worked really hard for the past 24 years, and I would love for my children to take over the farm,” Schnell said.

“My Dad is one of the hardest-working people I know,” Alex agreed. “He started everything from scratch, and I’ve seen the amount of work and effort he puts in every day. I would be proud to eventually take over the farm, and that is why I am doing what I can now to be a part of the operation.”

Schnell invites visitors to learn more about how the dairy farm operates, as long as they’re prepared for a little mud and muck and to be put to work bottle-feeding calves. For more information, visit Schnell Dairy Farm on Facebook at facebook.com/schnell.dairy.2000 or call 573-819-6122.

Read more of the June/July 2024 Today's Farmer Magazine HERE.

MFA grant helps Willow Springs ag students experience the growing cycle from start to finish

Many students will say that spending time outside the classroom is where they would rather be during the school day.
At the Willow Springs School District in south-central Missouri, high school agriculture students are realizing that wish and benefiting from the experience. Agricultural instructors and FFA advisers Grant Talburt and Shiloh Walden offer an engaging learning opportunity that involves lessons outside of the classroom and inside the greenhouse.

When Walden and Talburt started teaching at Willow Springs six years ago, they saw incredible potential to expand the ag curriculum with the two existing greenhouses. “The ag department has been operating Greenhouse 1 for more than 20 years, and we knew it needed some work,” said Walden. “Greenhouse 2 has been operational for the six years that Grant and I’ve been here, but we knew we could do more.”

To help fund some of the greenhouse enhancements that were needed, Talburt applied for an MFA Incorporated Charitable Foundation grant in 2022, an opportunity he learned about from Dawn Sigman, MFA Willow Springs Agri Services manager.

Above top: Teachers from the Willow Springs School District stop by the greenhouse to purchase plants before the big sale.   Above: Michael Williams, left, and his agricultural instructor, Shiloh Walden, search the aquaculture tank for the tilapia they are raising. The fish waste is used as a fertilizer for the plants in the greenhouse.“We have a great relationship with our local MFA,” said Talburt. “Dawn was interested in selling plants at MFA that our students grow in the spring. We had some plants, but we didn’t have the facilities to accommodate a true wholesale and retail operation. MFA’s grant, plus one through the Missouri Department of Agriculture, allowed us to make the many upgrades needed to expand our operation and the educational opportunities for our students.”

MFA’s $5,000 grant was used to update Willow Spring’s plant science curriculum by modernizing the current greenhouses. Improvements include the installation of irrigation controls, capillary matting, cooling panels and hydroponics.

“It’s been tremendous,” Walden said. “The grant has helped fund something really valuable to our students. While preparing our kids for a future career in plant science, we are using up-to-date technology and allowing them to learn in a real greenhouse setting.”

The school’s agriculture program fosters the development of a multitude of skills. At the start of the school year, the greenhouse management class usually has eight to 14 students.

“We start with greenhouse safety, teaching how they function, how they operate, different tools, different parts—basically how it fully works,” Walden explained. “A safety test must be passed, then we get to the greenhouses and start right away.”

Once in greenhouse, the real fun begins as the students are taught multiple planting techniques. “We propagate our hanging baskets, usually in September or October, through stem and leaf cuttings,” Walden said. “We grow a lot of different plants using that method. We also plant from seeds and cuttings purchased from other vendors.”

During the fall and winter seasons, the greenhouses are popping with greens and vegetables for staff and student consumption. Throughout the late fall, winter and early spring, the greenhouse classes provide fresh, new produce for the school’s cafeteria.

“The fall is when we start from seed the greens and vegetables that we grow for the school cafeteria,” said Walden. “The students harvest the greens and then wash, rinse and bag them. It’s been a really awesome learning experience.”

“We supply the school’s cafeteria with enough vegetables and salad greens for a nice salad bar,” Talburt added. “We are harvesting every two weeks, and we’re always planting more seeds.”

When spring hits, the growing season is in full swing. The first week of April is usually when the greenhouse opens for retail sales to the public.
“We don’t spend much time in the classroom at that point because it’s all out here in the lab,” Walden explained. “The students learn useful, hands-on skills that they can take with them anywhere and get a job.”

“The greenhouse experience for our students is extremely important,” Talburt added. “It teaches them so many life skills, like time management, maintenance and facility management, and the importance of proper presentation for customers.”

Finances and budgeting also come into play. Students are responsible for looking at the operational costs and determining what price is needed to be profitable when selling the products wholesale and retail.  

The MFA grant also enabled Talburt and Walden to update and improve the aquaculture system, which allows students to learn how to produce tilapia.

“When I got here, there was an aquaculture system that did not function,” Walden said. “That was one of the first tasks that I took on. We’ve had several different fish species over the years to try to figure out how to best utilize the aquaculture program. Right now, we have about 30 tilapia that are maturing. We hope to breed them and then be able to have a school of fish that we can routinely harvest from.”

The class uses the fish waste as free organic material to fertilize their plants and cut down on greenhouse expenses.

The community plays a vital role in the success of the school’s ag program, Walden said. Each spring, MFA and a local grocery store buy a variety of plants wholesale from the school and, in turn, sell the locally produced plants to their customers.

“The kids really get to see the whole circle,” Talburt said. “They develop a product, they prepare the product, and it goes to a market where it’s sold.”

“We are selling a quality product, and our students are putting in the hard work,” Walden added. “The community loves to support us, and we are able to raise money to go to leadership conferences and the FFA national convention. With the grants and community support, we have been able to turn the greenhouse project into something that we could only dream of, and I think it’s only going to get better from here.”

The MFA Incorporated Charitable Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in rural communities by supporting organizations that are dedicated to education, youth and problem-solving. Since its establishment in November 2005, the Foundation has awarded more than $2.3 million and is proud to create partnerships within the rural communities it serves. For more information on grant opportunities, visit mfa-inc.com/About/Charity.

Read more of the June/July 2024 Today's Farmer Magazine HERE.

Quentin Blackford, Senior grain originator, MFA Northwest Group

“I took some classes to learn how grain trading worked, and I was fascinated with the mechanics,” he said. “After receiving additional resources and education from MFA’s Grain Division, I was fortunate to be selected as this area’s grain originator. And I’m forever grateful for it. Ten years ago, I would have never guessed I’d be in this position, but I love the job.”

Blackford is based at the Four Rivers Agronomy Center in Ravenwood, Mo., but he serves producers throughout northwest Missouri and southern Iowa. He spoke to Today’s Farmer on a rainy day in early May, as several farmers took advantage of the break in planting to market some of their stored grain.

What is the role of a grain originator?
My job is to buy, sell and trade grain and generate profits for the producer and for their MFA location. In doing that, I spend a lot of my time working to identify various markets, trying to find a premium price and helping producers determine the best way to market their grain, whether it’s through their local elevator, farm-to-terminal contracts, basis contracts or any of the other options out there. Honestly, my title may be grain originator, but a big part of my job is running logistics, moving trucks around to where we need to go to capture the most efficiencies and the most profits for our customers and MFA.

What gives MFA an advantage when marketing grain?
We know the ins and outs of the grain business, and we have a tremendous amount of flexibility with the different types of contracts we can offer. We’re trading multiple markets all the time, and with MFA’s wide-reaching network and expertise in our Grain Division, we have a whole team of support and resources behind us. That allows us to make the right decisions to best benefit the producer. Then there’s the trucking aspect of it. I can run a lot of freight and utilize point A to point B pretty well because MFA is set up to do that. Plus, because MFA is a cooperative, another big benefit is that we can potentially offer the DPAD (Domestic Production Activities Deduction) to our grain customers. That’s not guaranteed, but it can be a valuable tax incentive for producers to sell their grain through our profile.

You maintain a close relationship with your grain customers. Why is that so important?
I’m truly a people person, and helping people is what drives me to do what I do. I believe in loyalty and trustworthiness. With the markets, it’s all about trust. Yes, the futures play a part, but the producer has to trust you to help market their grain. That’s their profit. That’s how they put food on the table. And knowing that they have enough confidence in me to find the right markets and generate them profit, it’s an amazing feeling. My job is to promote growth in their operation and in MFA. I want our customers to be successful, and without them, we’re not successful. I take pride in contributing to that success.

How does grain marketing fit into MFA’s mission to be a whole-farm solution provider?
It takes the crop full circle. We supplied your seed. We provided your chemicals. We put down your fertilizer. We scouted your fields. Now you’ve harvested the crop that we helped you grow. What are you going to do with it? The last thing you have to do is sell that grain to generate profit. That’s where MFA can step in again. We’re here to take care of the producer’s needs, and that is the ultimate goal—whether it’s supplying products and services you need to grow the crop or selling the grain you produce from it. MFA Grain wants to be part of that whole-farm solution, and I encourage producers to give us a shot. 

Read more of the June/July 2024 Today's Farmer Magazine HERE.

William H. Darr was inducted into 2024 Missouri Agricultural Hall of Fame.

The 12th summer of MFA’s Ag Experience internship program kicked off May 13 with 14 participants who will spend 12 weeks growing professionally and gaining agriculture industry knowledge through their work as MFA employees.

The interns’ orientation process began at MFA Incorporated’s home office in Columbia, where they networked with MFA employees and learned about the company’s standards and policies. Additionally, they traveled to Mexico, Mo., and Palmyra, Mo., where they toured an MFA feed mill and plant foods facility.

The Ag Experience program is designed to challenge, educate and inspire students pursuing careers in agriculture, business and communications. To be eligible, applicants must be working toward a bachelor’s degree at an accredited college or university, be a full-time student in good standing with a grade point average above 2.75 and preferably have completed their sophomore year.

Each MFA intern is paired with a mentor and has the opportunity to customize the internship toward his or her interests and career objectives. Throughout the summer, the students will gain valuable, hands-on experience within the industry through their collaboration with MFA and its members. This year’s interns will be working in sales, seed, crop protection, precision agriculture, plant foods, transportation, farm supply, retail credit, communications, marketing, education and outreach, human resources and information technology.

Throughout their time at MFA, interns are encouraged to apply their knowledge and skills to a real-world setting. The program concludes Aug. 6, when they will give a final presentation detailing their projects and experiences to senior-level managers. Those who perform well during the summer may be considered for future internship positions or employment. 

Read more of the June/July 2024 Today's Farmer Magazine HERE.

Nutri-Track helps Darrell Ragsdale manage risk, improve forage production

When he first enrolled in MFA’s Nutri-Track program, Darrell Ragsdale was looking for gains—gains in production, efficiencies and yields for the forages and cattle on his farm in Seymour, Mo.

But it was a devastating loss that prompted him to take his management practices to the next level and bolstered his belief in using precision technology to improve pasture and hay production.

In December 2022, the “perfect storm” of drought-damaged pastures, toxic-endophyte fescue and 36 hours of extreme cold set up deadly conditions for Ragsdale’s herd. He lost 32 cows and 15 calves that winter to “fescue foot,” which occurs when the fungus in infected fescue produces alkaloids that restrict blood flow and cause the hooves to freeze.

“It was a combination of things,” Ragsdale explained. “We had sprayed Duracor on about half the pasture, which took out the clover, and then we had the drought. The cattle grazed everything to the ground to survive. The endophyte fungus concentrates in the bottom 2 to 3 inches of fescue, so they were loaded up with it. Then the cold spell hit. Temperatures got down to something like -12 or -14 degrees here, and it literally froze the feet off the cattle. It was a high-dollar learning experience.”

His emotions still visibly raw about the loss, Ragsdale vowed to never let it happen again.

“It was extremely hard on me, mentally, and changed how I had to think about things,” he said. “I knew I needed to do something different.”
In his purposeful new approach, diversification is key, Ragsdale said, “to keep from having all my eggs in one basket.” He plans to replace some of his traditional fescue pastures with novel endophyte fescue varieties that don’t have toxicity risks. He has also planted annual forages, such as oats, rye and pearl millet, and this spring, he worked with the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Native Forage Initiative to establish 10 acres of eastern gamagrass. This warm-season native bunch grass is known for producing large quantities of quality forage during the summer.

“I had always wanted to try eastern gamagrass,” Ragsdale said. “It puts out a lot of tons. I plan to use it for both hay and grazing—probably more grazing. The way it grows, it’s terrible on equipment.”

Site-specific fertility management—powered by MFA’s Nutri-Track program—is at the heart of Ragsdale’s operation. He relies on recommendations from MFA Precision Agronomy Specialist Brandon Hebbert to help improve the farm’s forage production, putting inputs where they are needed and pulling back where they are not.

“We see precision technology used more often in row-crop production, but most farms I see have more variability when it comes to forage production,” Hebbert said. “Forages have a high opportunity for returns when using practices such as variable-rate nutrient application. A high-production, cool-season grass hayfield is going to take about 400 pounds of fertilizer per acre per year. A good soybean field is going to take about 300 pounds. If you’re serious about forage production, you’re going to be using more inputs than in some row-cropping situations. Nutri-Track can help you place those inputs more efficiently for better production and better returns.”

The Nutri-Track program begins with soil-sampling in 2.5-acre grids to check nutrient levels, soil pH and variability in the field. This baseline guides MFA’s precision agronomy staff in building fertility recommendations based on the producer’s goals. The grid-sampling process is repeated every four years to determine if any other deficiencies or excesses need to be addressed and adjust recommendations accordingly.

“Once we find out what’s going on in the soil, then we can sit down with the producer and go over all the spots in the field that are showing high, optimum or low soil-test values,” Hebbert explained. “Then we can address those areas with variable-rate fertilizer applications.”

Ragsdale started on the Nutri-Track program in 2015 with a 13-acre hay field that he and his wife, Amy, had recently acquired and knew little about its soil health. When Hebbert presented those initial grid-sampling results, he told Ragsdale, “You’d better sit down.”

“It was pretty far out of whack,” Ragsdale said.

It didn’t take long, however, to start seeing results. Two years later, after following Hebbert’s recommendations, Ragsdale harvested 182 round bales from that field. He now has 130 of his farm’s 250 acres enrolled in Nutri-Track and says “the rest of it will be eventually.”

“I wanted to get better production, get more efficient and push yields harder without wasting money,” Ragsdale said. “And it’s paying off, big time.”
Because pH plays such a critical role in availability of nutrients and overall performance of the forage crop, Hebbert said correcting soil pH with precision lime applications is typically the first priority. It’s also one of the most valuable benefits of the Nutri-Track program, he added.

“Lime around here is typically going to cost $60 an acre with application,” Hebbert said. “People in the Nutri-Track program are usually spending more like $40 or $50 per acre.”

As an example, Ragsdale pointed out a field in front of his house that was grid-sampled and then limed with variable-rate application.

“The back side only needed about 1,500 pounds to the acre,” he said. “In front, it needed over 6 tons per acre. If it hadn’t been for Nutri-Track, we’d have pulled a spot here, a spot here, a spot here and a spot here, threw them in one bucket and stirred them up. The test would have said we needed 3 tons of lime across the whole field. The back side would have had way too much on it. The front side wouldn’t have had near enough. It paid for the testing just in lime savings.”

Ragsdale also said there’s value in the peace of mind that comes with knowing Hebbert is just a phone call away when he has questions or needs advice.

“The service you get from MFA, that’s worth a bunch,” Ragsdale said. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve talked to Brandon this year, asking questions on chemicals and planting and such. A farmer can’t know it all, so he better know someone who knows more than he does.”

In other benefits, Ragsdale said his pastures and hay fields are much cleaner because the flourishing forages outcompete the weeds. He’s able to graze his cattle longer and feed hay for fewer months. And the healthier stands have been more resilient to the drought conditions in the region over the past couple of years.

“I didn’t lose a stand in any of the Nutri-Track acres, but we lost a lot of grass in some fields that had not been on the program yet,” Ragsdale said.
Dry conditions have, indeed, wreaked havoc on many pastures and hayfields across MFA territory, Hebbert said. Compounding the problem is the fact that high fertilizer prices caused many producers to cut back on nutrient applications.

“The last two years of the drought, it’s just been hard for people to invest in hayfields and pasture, so we’ve taken out a lot more nutrients than what we put back,” Hebbert said. “The people who had built up their fertility before the drought were the ones who came through it better. I’m seeing increased interest from producers wanting to reseed pastures and hayfields and rebuild their fertility levels.”

Now’s the time to consider enrolling acreage in Nutri-Track, Hebbert said, because soil-sample results can be analyzed and recommendations created in time to make a difference for the next growing season.

“The sooner you get on the list and get something sampled, the sooner we can service the lime to correct pH. And all your fertilizer is going to work better once we get that piece knocked out,” Hebbert said. “The more we can do in the fall, the better results you’ll see in your spring grass production.”
Ragsdale said he encourages fellow producers to try Nutri-Track and see firsthand how the program can improve production, strengthen resiliency and decrease risk in their forage operations.

“Pick one of your hayfields, get with MFA, turn them loose with it and see what it will do,” he said. “Let them do the full extent on it for a couple of years because you’re not going to see the results in one year. Look at it as a long-term program that’s going to allow you to cash dividends at some point. Trust me. It pays.”

For more information on Nutri-Track and MFA’s other precision agronomy services, visit online at mfa-inc.com or talk with your local MFA representative.

Read more of the June/July 2024 Today's Farmer Magazine HERE. 

Popular option allows growers, MFA to benefit from direct shipments to buyers

The complexities involved in grain marketing can frustrate or intimidate even the most seasoned farmer. There’s a ton of information to sift through. Ever-changing crop prices to monitor. Multiple contract types to consider. Global volatility and production uncertainty to make decisions more stressful.

MFA simplifies these challenges with comprehensive resources and expert guidance to help producers capture increased value and manage risk when marketing their grain.

“We want our producers to be as profitable as possible. That’s the ultimate goal,” said Eric Williams, senior director of MFA Grain Operations. “We’re involved in every aspect of their crop production—seed, fertilizer, chemicals, farm supplies—so it stands to reason we would want to see them make more money from the crop they produce in the end. We have the people and tools to do just that.”

Those tools range from simple to sophisticated, whether it’s a traditional cash price contract or alternatives that take a deeper understanding of grain-marketing strategies, such as deferred payment, accumulator, open basis or futures-only contracts. Each comes with its own set of benefits for producers as well as various levels of risk security, pricing flexibility and cash flow.

Regardless of the choice—or combination of choices—MFA can help growers maximize those opportunities with its expansive network and flexible marketing options, said Grain Originator Nathan Oglesby, who is based in Glasgow, Mo., and serves MFA’s Heart of Missouri and Trails groups.

“We have so many different avenues to help our farmers market grain,” he said. “It all boils down to what they’re looking for. They just have to understand what’s associated with each style of contract, what their price goals are and how much risk they’re willing to take.”
Clayton Deis, who raises corn, soybeans and wheat between Gilliam and Glasgow, Mo., regularly markets grain with MFA and works closely with Oglesby to develop market strategies and take advantage of pricing opportunities when they arise.

“I’ve got enough grain bins to store about 50,000 bushels, and that gives me capabilities to sell throughout the year,” Deis said. “Nathan keeps me informed about good marketing opportunities and answers my questions. He’s always been helpful in bringing me new ideas.”

One of those ideas was to try “farm-to-terminal” contracts, which have become a popular option for MFA grain customers in certain areas. This type of contract allows growers to sell their grain through MFA but deliver it directly to the buyer, such as a feed mill, ethanol plant, exporter or processing facility. Growers can haul the grain themselves if they have the equipment, or MFA can arrange to have it picked up from the farm.

“We’re always looking for ways we can add value for producers,” Williams said. “Farm-to-terminal is one of those ways.”

Often, this option allows the grower to capture a premium for their grain while also receiving the benefits of selling through MFA, namely the Domestic Production Activities Deduction (DPAD), which is unique to cooperative businesses. DPAD is intended to provide tax advantages to companies that manufacture, mine or produce products in the United States. Agricultural cooperatives are allowed to treat products—such as grain—produced by their members as manufacturing activities for purposes of this deduction.

Though not guaranteed every year, DPAD may be returned from MFA to eligible customers based on their grain sales to deduct from their income taxes.
“I’ve been doing the farm-to-terminal contracts for probably four years now, delivering to Cargill in California, Tyson in Dresden and JBS in Smithton,” Deis said. “A lot of times, there’s a premium over a local price, and I’ve also gotten the DPAD tax break at end of the year. It’s worked well for me.”

An advantage for MFA is that those bushels never hit a local elevator, allowing the company to handle additional grain volume without having to increase physical capacity. Williams said growth in MFA Incorporated’s grain sales over the past few years can be attributed in part to increased interest in this marketing option.

“The farm-to-terminal contract is a great way for MFA and the producer to work together on moving grain,” Oglesby said. “We basically just do the paperwork, and the grain never comes into any of our facilities. When discussing these contracts, we tell farmers that we’re not in competition with them selling grain into these terminals. We’re selling our positions and doing our best to allow the farmers to benefit from our ability to market grain for the most profitability.”

With continually changing market conditions, communication is key when it comes to assisting grain producers in better understanding, selecting and using the various grain contracts, Oglesby said. Trust is crucial, he emphasized, because their livelihood is at stake.

“I do my best to educate the producers I’m working with,” Oglesby said. “I will never tell somebody to do something that I don’t believe is the right thing to do.”

Deis said it’s that conviction and commitment that keep him returning to MFA to market his grain.

“I’ve worked with Nathan for the past 15 years, and I trust him 100%,” Deis said. “Through MFA, he has an endless amount of resources, places to sell grain and marketing options. And his knowledge of it all is great. It’s nice to have somebody like that in your corner.”

For more information on MFA’s grain-marketing services, contact your local MFA representative or Agri Services Center. Farm-to-terminal contracts may not be available in all areas, but MFA’s grain personnel can help determine the best marketing strategies for each situation.

“Having that person to talk to—someone focused on grain, knowledgeable about marketing and looking at it from the local level—makes an impact,” Williams said. “It can be daunting task to talk with producers who are already marketing at a particular place and convince them we can add value, but I think the proof is in the pudding.”

Read more of the June/July 2024 Today's Farmer Magazine HERE. 

This new award, presented by Missouri Farmers Care (MFC) and its member organizations, will be given annually to one farm or ranch family who demonstrates innovation, stewardship and diligence in land management decisions. Recipients will receive a $5,000 honorarium and will be invited to speak at conferences and host an on-farm tour that highlights their successful conservation and stewardship practices.

“Missouri farmers understand their important role in ensuring natural resources are managed so that they are left in better condition for generations that follow in their footsteps,” said Jeff Houts, MFC chairman. “This prestigious award recognizes the best of the best in production stewardship and, in doing so, hopefully inspires adoption of innovative management across Missouri agriculture.”

With this award, Missouri agriculture continues the tradition of highlighting stewardship efforts of the state’s farmers. MFC and partners collaborated to present the Missouri Leopold Conservation Award from 2017 to 2023, and this new recognition program will build on that legacy by highlighting the best of Missouri agricultural production practices.

Ashley McCarty, MFC executive director, says a rigorous process will be used to choose the winner, with an external committee considering such criteria as voluntary stewardship practices, collaboration with conservation partners, innovation, leadership, outreach and education.

“Past recipients of the Leopold Award are shining examples of the sort of leadership and focus on land management that we want to promote,” McCarty said. “The Missouri Agricultural Stewardship Award provides a greater opportunity for us to tell those stories and figuratively open the farm gate to let people know about the science, technology and innovation that’s happening on Missouri farms and ranches.”

Deadline for applications to be submitted or postmarked is June 30, 2024. The winner will be announced at an agricultural or natural resources conference this winter.

For more information or to submit an online application, visit MoFarmersCare.com/agstewardshipaward. Applications can also be mailed to Missouri Farmers Care Foundation, 19171 State Highway 11, Kirksville, MO 63501.

Read more articles from the June/July issue HERE.

Producers who want to learn more about improving nutrient management, soil health, crop yields and water quality are invited to MFA’s 4R Field Day on Wednesday, July 24, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. (NEW TIME) at North Central Missouri College Barton Farm Campus in Trenton, Mo.

The evening’s agenda will feature farmers sharing their successes, struggles, equipment modifications and use of conservation practices to improve soil health and reduce nutrient runoff in their fields. Representatives from MFA, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency and Missouri Department of Conservation will be on hand to discuss conservation practices and provide assistance with programs available to the state’s producers.

MFA Conservation Specialist Emily Beck, who is coordinat­ing the event, said the field day will promote the 4R Prin­ciples of Nutrient Stewardship—Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time, and Right Place—which provide a framework to achieve cropping system goals such as increased production, better productivity, enhanced environmental protection and improved sustainability.

The event is free and dinner will be provided. For more information, contact Beck at ebeck@mfa-inc.com or visit with your local MFA representative.

Read more of the June/July 2024 Today's Farmer Magazine HERE.

Agriculture Plant Industries team set traps last month and will continue to monitor them throughout the summer.

“Plant pests can hitchhike to new locations through a number of avenues,” said State Entomologist Rosalee Knipp. “They can burrow in untreated firewood and attach themselves to outdoor surfaces. Our team works hard to ensure Missouri’s plant industry remains protected throughout the year, and no invasive species make their way into our state.”

The spongy moth arrived in the U.S. in 1869 and has primarily affected the East Coast. Surveying helps MDA monitor for spongy moths and allow its team to pinpoint locations if the insects were to enter Missouri. The Show-Me State has approximately 12.5 million acres of oak that could be severely damaged or killed if infested with spongy moths, which would greatly impact the state’s forestry economy.

Temporary traps are set in May each year. The traps are checked by MDA staff throughout the summer and are removed in August. Spongy moth traps are orange and triangular, and each trap includes a pheromone lure that attracts male spongy moths. The pheromone travels a short distance, only attracting moths near the trap. Traps are tied around the trunks of oak trees across the state, from the southwest corner to the northwest corner of Missouri. Nearly 3,200 traps are set out each summer, both in urban and rural settings.

MDA also watches closely for the spotted lanternfly, a leafhopper native to Asia. The spotted lanternfly feeds on the sap of over 70 plant species, including grape, apple, hops, oak, walnut, maple and ornamental plants. Tree of heaven, an invasive plant in Missouri, is a favored host.

Spotted lanternflies, like spongy moths, are hitchhikers in their egg mass stage. Look for spotted lanternfly and spongy moth egg masses on vehicles, trees and other outdoor surfaces.

MDA entomologists say Missourians can help stop the spread of these pests in several ways:
• If you happen to see a spongy moth or spotted lanternfly egg mass when it is dormant during late fall, winter or early spring, scrape or smash the mass and report the sighting to MDA.
• Don’t move untreated firewood to new places. Source firewood where it will be burned or buy certified, heat-treated firewood before traveling.
• Source plants and seeds responsibly.

If you suspect an invasive species, contact MDA’s Plant Pest Program at plantpest@mda.mo.gov.
Find details about other invasive species that could cause harm to Missouri plants at agriculture.mo.gov.

Read more of the June/July 2024 Today's Farmer Magazine HERE.

Dr. Jim White
MFA Director of Nutrition
livestock@mfa-inc.com

2. Monitor kernel processing and chop length. Kernel-processed corn silage should have a theoretical length between ¾ and 1 inch. Set the spacing on the kernel processors to 1 millimeter. Processing corn silage this way increases the amount of fiber fed because it decreases the sorting of corn cob “hockey pucks” by cows and enables better digestion of the starch in the corn kernel.

3. Pack bunkers carefully. Bunker silos should be packed constantly while filling. The blade tractor operator should ensure that the layer is being packed thinly, no thicker than 6 inches, and that the blade does not interfere with layers that have already been packed. Packing in 4-inch to 6-inch layers increases silage density, reduces oxygen infiltration and subsequent spoilage, and increases storage efficiency.

“Ideally, cattle producers should allow silage to ensile for at least four months before feeding.”

4. Cover silage well. After the silage is packed, cover it as soon as possible, ideally with 6- to 8-mil plastic. Use a secondary oxygen barrier and secure it. It is common to use a second layer of clear plastic that effectively obstructs air flow into the silage. This works great, though you should cover the oxygen barrier with regular plastic to prevent sunlight deterioration. Using this combination approach stops much of the spoilage of corn silage and haylage at the top of the pile. In addition to preventing spoilage loss, this also lessens the need for workers to pitch off spoiled silage, which saves time and reduces risk.

5. Be sure to give silage time to ensile. Ideally, cattle producers should allow silage to ensile for at least four months before feeding. As silage spends additional weeks in storage, the starch becomes more digestible and helps avoid the silage slump. When you do begin feeding from the new silage supply, monitor quality in the first few feet. Many bunkers and corn silage pile have sloped ends, which means silage in the front is not packed as densely as silage deeper in the bunk. This looser packing makes growth of undesirable microbes more likely. Aim to maintain a well-managed face that is vertical or perhaps slightly obtuse and smooth. If there are differences among fermentation, moisture, pH or other characteristics of the silage as the depth into the bunk increases, consider cutting across pile ends and blending multiple depths of silage together, such as silage from 2-, 4-, and 8-foot depths. This can minimize the negative effects of silage slump by diluting potential mycotoxins and reducing the moisture and nutrient variation among silage from different levels.

6. Make efforts to deliver a consistent diet. It’s critical to feed pens as close to the same time every day so dry matter intake stays as consistent as possible. Try to feed within 20 minutes of the previous days’ time. Cows crave consistency. Much like humans, these animals need a structured routine for activities as well as specific nutrition to maximize performance, health and overall well-being.

Read more of the June/July 2024 Today's Farmer Magazine HERE.

Cameron Horine - Director of Seed crops@mfa-inc.com

What brand, hybrid and variety of corn and soybeans to plant is one of the biggest decisions that must be made every year. Unfortunately, it’s not always as easy as just saying, “I want to go with Brand X and Hybrid Y for all of my corn acres” and then moving on from that choice. Emotion, past experiences, logic and goals all play a part in making that selection. Those factors are complicated by the fact that technologies and traits seem to change every year, and new hybrids and varieties are always entering the market. Growers have ever-evolving options from which to choose.

How do you sift through all those layers and rationalize seed decisions? Here are some things growers should be weighing when considering their needs:

• Yield potential: This is the first thing that comes to my mind when choosing seed, and, generally speaking, this is the most important factor for all growers. You should assess the performance of a hybrid or variety across multiple locations and years. However, you can’t just look at bushels per acre. It’s crucial to understand that seed products vary in their yield potential based on specific soil types, climate conditions and management.

• Maturity and harvestability: Is planting and harvest timing important to you? Do you need to begin harvest early and be done by football season or before the weather turns? Are you aiming to have corn pollination complete before the high heat and “normal” slump of rain in mid-summer? Do you want strong corn stalks that will stand late so you can harvest soybeans first? How do you want to space out your portfolio? Answers to all of those questions should factor into your decision.

• Herbicide and trait technology: What herbicide technologies are you planning to use? Do you want to be on the Enlist platform or the Xtend platform? Do you need glufosinate-tolerant corn? There are also drought tolerance and nitrogen efficiency among other traits now coming to the market.

• Disease and pest resistance: A key factor in successful crop production is having varieties with the ability to resist or tolerate various diseases and pests that can reduce yield and seed quality. Do you need a hybrid or variety that has resistance or tolerance to major threats in your region, including corn rootworm, corn earworm, tar spot, soybean cyst nematode, frogeye leaf spot or other fungal and bacterial diseases? Again, you must take these characteristics seriously when making seed selections.

• Brand loyalty and reputation: Are you more willing to only purchase a national brand? Do you prefer a local/regional brand that is more adapted?

I know this isn’t an exhaustive list of considerations that go into selecting the seed products that work best on your farm. Fortunately, MFA can help make these decisions easier and support your seed needs. With our own MorCorn and MorSoy lineups, we have locally adapted corn hybrids and soybean varieties that are tested and selected to fit our trade territory while delivering premier genetics. We also provide national seed brands, including Dekalb, Asgrow, NK and Brevant, for your corn and soybean needs as well. Our key account managers and retail location managers will help design the best seed portfolio for your needs to make your growing season successful.

Along with building a customized seed portfolio, we can provide other inputs, such as plant food and crop protection, to ensure that the seed you plant is given the best opportunity to reach its yield potential.

If you have any questions about your seed needs for the 2025 growing season, please contact your local MFA.

Read more of the June/July 2024 Today's Farmer Magazine HERE.

The problem is that AI got it wrong. Very wrong. For example, the tool translated “southwest” to “southeast” and misinterpreted biographical facts from the original file. We edited the AI-generated document to be grammatically correct, but that doesn’t help when the copy to edit is inaccurate. With our sincerest apologies to the Darr family, a corrected version is printed on page 6. (Note: the online version is now correct.)

“AI has its place in helping us be more productive and solve complex problems, but it’s far from perfect.”

The silver lining is that the mistake increased our awareness of AI limitations, and we refined our processes. The technology can help streamline and speed up certain tasks, but it’s not foolproof. AI is only as intelligent as the information it is based on, which can generate biases and misinformation. When AI is used, the outcome requires extra scrutiny.

That’s important to remember as AI becomes more ingrained in everyday life. Search engines use AI to scan the internet, online retailers use it to suggest products for shoppers, and streaming services and social media use it to predict content users want to see. A Nashville record label even recently used AI to produce a new song for country artist Randy Travis, who can no longer sing due to a stroke.

In agriculture, AI is rapidly becoming transformative technology that can help farmers do everything from analyzing data and forecasting markets to monitoring crops and picking produce. Through AI, we now have self-driving tractors, devices that detect livestock diseases and sprayers that differentiate crops from weeds for targeted herbicide applications. MFA personnel saw positive results of this last year when we tested John Deere’s See and Spray Ultimate machine.

Yet, while the potential for AI is exciting, it’s also alarming. In agriculture, AI can make farms vulnerable to cybercrime and data leaks. In education, students can use an AI program to write entire essays, answer test questions or do their homework. Then there are more nefarious concerns. While using an AI learning model to help develop vaccines, scientists discovered the program could create drug combinations that were harmful as well as helpful. If a bad actor did something similar, the researchers warned, this technology could be used to design new chemical weapons.

We may not quite be to “The Terminator” age in which AI can become powerful enough to take over the world, but the technology is creating new legal, ethical and governance issues that must be considered and addressed. AI has its place in helping us be more productive and solve complex problems, but it’s far from perfect. We still need humans to proof its performance.

Read more of the June/July 2024 Today's Farmer Magazine HERE.

Those of us in agriculture know that timing can significantly affect potential crop yields and the quality of hay and pasture for livestock. To that end, both MFA and the producers we serve continue to invest in technology that drives efficiencies and mitigates risks in growing a crop or raising an animal. It makes a difference.

But technology can’t compensate for all the challenges we face. Falling commodity values, high input prices and inflationary pressures on operating costs continue to stress the bottom line for everyone in agriculture. Safety nets provided by the “extended” 2018 Farm Bill need adjustments, which are currently being held up in political gamesmanship.

Farming (and I include retail agriculture) is recognized as an industry with some of the highest safety risks. That’s not a surprise to anyone in this business. We don’t need statistics to tell us.

“From a safety standpoint, technology continues to reduce risk, but it still takes people to get
the job done.”

Minor cuts and bruises from working livestock or repairing equipment are considered part of the job. We accept that wear and tear. Sometimes these minor things get called “near misses” as they could have turned out to be much worse—and luckily weren’t.

Unfortunately, some accidents come at an unacceptable price. On May 17, Team MFA lost one of its teammates to a work-related accident. I’m sure some of our readers have endured situations with similar consequences. For me, it was the toughest day I’ve had in my MFA career.

My call to action for everyone is to be mindful of both the physical risks and the stress-related risks of farming.

Last summer, the MFA Foundation made a four-year commitment to help University of Missouri Extension’s efforts to support rural communities in need of mental health assistance. MU’s Psychological Services Clinic offers up to five free teletherapy sessions for farmers, ranchers and members of their immediate families. You can learn more about these services online at muext.us/PSCFarmRanch or by contacting the clinic at adpsc@missouri.edu or 573-882-4677.

From a safety standpoint, technology continues to reduce risk, but it still takes people to get the job done. I believe safety is a team effort—together, we can be better. We have to look after each other.

My father was a carpenter for much of his working life. As he tried to teach me some of the skills of the trade, there’s one thing I’ll always remember: “Measure twice, cut once.”

Let’s all make time for the deliberate focus it takes to follow that advice. Affordable food, fuel and fiber are dependent on the health of those who raise it.

Read more of the June/July 2024 Today's Farmer Magazine HERE.

Deeply rooted  (cover story)
Succession plan survives the test of time for Lenox Farms

Relief for ranchers
MFA delivers feed to Texas to help livestock producers affected by wildfires

Missouri Agricultural Hall of Fame inducts first members
MFA Incorporated is among supporters of this new initiative to honor outstanding contributions to the state’s farming industry

Beauty in bronze       
Sculptor Clay Gant turns his talents from equine awards to create a custom statue for the Missouri Agricultural Hall of Fame

Faces of farming
Tanner Michael, MFA Incorporated District 2 Director

A place of their own
New barn gives California High School students room to raise pigs

Country Corner

New stewardship award is just for Missouri

UpFront / Blog

FAPRI outlook shows downward shifts in farm income, commodity prices

State Fair cancels arena events as new facility construction gets underway

Mizzou honors Verslues for ‘Distinguished Service’

Conservation

Programs help diversify forage portfolios

Agronomy

Don’t let new diseases distract from old threats

Livestock

There’s no universal solution for fly control

Markets

Managing new-crop prices at planting

If not this year, then next

Recipes

Beefing it up

Viewpoint

Still stretching for the last mile

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As you drive down Highway 72, just south of Rolla, Mo., the natural beauty of the Mark Twain National Forest and the rugged, rocky hills of the Ozark Plateau quickly come into view. This ancient landscape is dotted with caves and natural springs as well as a family history that has deepened and strengthened throughout the centuries.

Tucked in the woodlands here is a tract of land that has been in the Lenox family since the early 1800s. The Lenox line can be traced to a Scottish clan that settled in the Ozark Highlands among native oak, hickory and pine forests. Of that parcel, about 700 acres are documented in the property abstract as being in the family since 1838.

“The history, that’s really what brought me back,” said Angie Lenox Mallery, whose father, Kennard Robert Lenox, took over the family farm from his father, Hamilton Wilson Lenox, in 1977. A sixth-generation farmer, Angie was born with a passion for the land and learned the Lenox farming traditions from her father—lessons that have been passed down through the generations.

The Lenox narrative runs deep, with a few twists and turns along the way. The newest chapter to the family’s story is that Angie, the oldest daughter of Ken and his wife, Joyce, now runs the family’s cow/calf business. It’s the first time in the farm’s almost 200-year history that a woman is the principal operator.

Angie grew up on the farm with her brother and two sisters. After college, she moved to St. Louis and pursued a career in fashion merchandising and retail management. She married Mike Mallery, and they started a family. Mike’s banking job took them to Texas, where they became entrenched in suburban life outside of Dallas. No one thought that Angie would move back to the family farm, especially Angie.

“My family is very close, that includes my cousins and extended family. In 2008 and 2009, during our Lenox family Thanksgivings, we all discussed what the future looked like for the farm,” Angie said, referring to the festive family gathering with no less than 80 people in attendance. “Those discussions about the farm, the family legacy and who was interested in taking it over were on my mind and in my heart for a few years.” 

Putting a plan in place
The wheels started to turn for Angie, but she knew it was a big decision with a lifetime commitment. In 2013, after many conversations with her husband and daughters, her siblings and parents, even cousins and aunts and uncles, she knew that taking over the farm was a real possibility.

Uprooting themselves from Texas, Angie and Mike moved their young family to the Lenox farm the following year to help manage and eventually run the cow/calf operation. 
The task was lofty. Ken, who was 70 years old at the time, handled more than 650 head of black Angus and managed 65 pastures on 3,000 acres of owned and rented ground. He was an expert in growing grass and was on the leading edge of using native forages for hay and grazing.

“When I held the property ledgers in my hands and looked at the history of my family, I realized my roots were too deep not to do this,” said Angie. “My dad asked my Aunt Kris, his oldest sibling, what she thought about me running the farm. She assured him that I could do it. I think he just needed a little convincing that a woman—that I—could do it.”
Once the decision was made, Angie and Mike worked with their attorney and her parents’ legal advisor to formulate a succession plan. Ken had taken over the farm from his parents, and the Lenox family was very open about discussing the future, so the transition process was transparent to all. The land stayed in Ken and Joyce’s estate, while Angie and Mike purchased the cow/calf operation. The Mallerys established Lenox Farms, LLC with her father as the lead foreman.

“I knew I could do…,” Angie started to say, and then paused. “I knew I could do it, but I just knew that it wasn’t going to be easy.”
Part of the succession plan was to find someone to be Angie’s right-hand man to help with the cattle business, pasture management and hay operation. Kevin Shaw, whose father was a hired hand for Angie’s grandfather, grew up on the Lenox farm and helped when he was young. Kevin had since moved on to work as a logger and miner, but Ken and Angie asked him to come back to help with the day-to-day operation.

Going along for the ride 
Once the Mallerys moved back to the farm, Angie said she and Ken spent a lot of time together. Their conversations helped her learn about the farm, his methods and his standards. She took notes and even videoed him explaining aspects of the operation.

“He would say, ‘Let’s take a drive to check that cow we saw that’s about to calve.’ Or ‘Let’s go move that herd to a new pasture,’” Angie said. “I did my best to take in every little thing.”

One of the things she learned was how cattle drives on the Lenox farm evolved through the years. Her grandfather would watch for the return of his older brother and the other cowboys from their cattle drives that lasted weeks and traversed multiple states. As time passed, the cattle drives were shorter but still used horseback riders. Angie remembers often being one of those riders.
Ken expanded the Lenox farm fencing system and learned that cattle drives were more easily accomplished by truck. “Dad honked the horn, and the cows knew they would be fed,” said Angie.

“They also follow the truck if you hold a feed sack out the window and shake it.” While moving one herd to a different pasture, she demonstrated the technique by honking the horn. Sure enough, the herd followed.

Angie recalls many of Ken’s clever sayings that she and Kevin use on the farm regularly, such as, “Always call them when you move them, and always move them when you call them.” Another one is, “You have to move the herd the day before they move themselves.” And when they were dealing with a sick animal, “You can’t save them all.”

Another nod to the past is that the Lenox pastures all have names, either from a relative or how the land was used. There is the Apple Tree pasture, the Burkitt Place, the Via Hollow, the Old School House and the Tombstone pasture, just to name a few.

“My father was a generous steward of his forefathers’ land,” Angie said. “One of his legacies is all the improvement he made. He transformed more than 1,000 acres of raw Ozark land filled with rock and trees to produce more than 650 head of cattle. His father only had a herd of 60. He transformed a few hayfields and rough forest into thriving, diversified grassland pastures that produce hay and sustain our herds.”

Ken worked with Paul Grayson, bulk plant manager at Rolla MFA Agri Services, for all his fertilizer and soil health needs. “We had a great working relationship and would talk about different ideas for his pastures and how to care for the soil,” Grayson said. “I now work with Angie and Mike and help them in whatever way I can. We just recently did soil sampling, and they have new recommendations for some of their fields.”

Lenox Farms also purchases all their fencing needs and some specialized feed from the Salem MFA Agri Services location.
Carrying on the tradition

Each year, Angie took over more of the day-to-day management. She was patient and let the succession plan happen on her father’s timeline.
“Gradually, he became more accepting and would really listen to my ideas,” Angie said.
Six years into their partnership, Angie began to see her father’s pace and demeanor change. She treasured his knowledge but knew she was going to have to start making the decisions.
“I could see it in his eyes,” Angie said. “It was hard for him to step aside.”

When her father was taking over the day-to-day operations of the farm from his father in the 1970s, Ken recalled that there were many struggles between the two of them. Her grandfather didn’t want to give up being in charge. In 2022, Angie and her mother saw history repeating itself as they experienced those same difficulties with Ken.

“Didn’t he learn from the mistakes during the transition with his father? Is he in a state of mental decline that is making him a different person? Is it his ego? Will he ever admit that he is no longer the lead foreman?” Angie said these were some of the questions that she and her mother asked each other.

Soon the answers became clear. Her father was diagnosed with dementia, which led to delusions and a rapid decline in his physical abilities. He passed away in October 2023.
Angie said she is truly grateful for the 10 years she had to learn the daily operation from her father. As the succession plan played out, she was able to spend quality time with him, gaining much more than just a working knowledge of the farm.

“Farming families have a unique definition of tradition,” Angie wrote on her blog in 2014 as she embarked on her new venture. “I am amazed and often scared to death when I think about how I am one of the main people responsible for the future of the tradition and history behind my family farm.”

When asked about her goals for the future, Angie said she plans to maintain the farm and herds to her father’s standards and to make small improvements.

“Who knows? One of our girls might decide to come back and have a story similar to mine,” Angie said. “I think that women who want to work on farms are realistic about what they are getting into. Most are goal-oriented, strong-willed, strong-minded—they are just plain strong. Today, no matter their age or level of responsibility, women who work on farms can be seen as modern-day pioneers paving the way for more women to join them.”

***

Successful succession takes time, thought and communication

With more than 370 million acres of farmland estimated to change hands over the next 20 years, support for farm transitions is greatly needed. According to American Farmland Trust, more than 40% of agricultural land is owned by producers who are 65 years old and older. Yet, one of the biggest challenges for young farmers is obtaining capital to purchase the land.

To help ease some of those succession challenges, Tammy Baldwin, a Democratic senator from Wisconsin, and Mike Braun, a Republican senator from Indiana, introduced the Farm Transition Act of 2024 in March. The bipartisan bill would help break down barriers to farming and agricultural land ownership, potentially helping more Americans pursue farming careers.

“I guess the biggest thing to realize is that farm succession takes time and effort,” said Angie Lenox Mallery of Rolla, Mo., who now runs the cattle operation her father once owned. “It’s definitely a process with many different issues that need to be addressed.”

Several different resources can be considered during succession planning. One such option is the University of Missouri Extension Service.

“Having difficult conversations and engaging in intentional communication are critical components of this process,” said Wesley Tucker, MU Extension agricultural business specialist. “Our team is here to offer resources that can equip families for these conversations and help them protect the business and family harmony.” 
Last year, MU Extension offered workshops that addressed topics such as how to minimize conflict, conduct family meetings, develop short-term operation plans and prepare for the next generation of management and ownership.

Each farming operation has its own unique situation and family dynamic, Tucker said, so using a trusted attorney is also very important.

“We have an attorney that we have a great working relationship with,” Mallery said. “She asked us questions to help guide us in the process. She also had things for us to consider that we never thought of.” 

Shannon Ferrell, an Oklahoma State University associate professor specializing in farm transitions and agriculture law, researched farm succession plans. The most common strategy is one of the least successful, he found. More than half of farm owners divide their assets equally among their heirs, regardless of whether they plan on continuing the farm themselves.

Another strategy, which Ferrell calls the “lifetime farm transfer,” involves interested children making farm payments over time to their parents. They would essentially buy shares of the farm as their parents decreased their percentage of ownership.

Ferrell said his research showed the strategy that works the best across farm types and incomes was giving farm assets to children interested in farming but dividing land ownership equally among them.

For more information about succession planning, visit extension.missouri.edu.

 CLICK TO READ MORE FROM THE 2024 MAY ISSUE OF TODAY'S FARMER MAGAZINE.

Read this story as printed on the Today's Farmer flip book version for this issue HERE.

MFA Incorporated is among supporters of new initiative to honor outstanding contributions to the state’s farming industry

The first inductees to the newly created Missouri Agricultural Hall of Fame were honored April 9 during a ceremony at the Capital Bluffs Event Center in Jefferson City. The inaugural recipients were William H. Darr, Jay Fischer, Blake and Julie Hurst, Charlie Kruse, and Forrest and Charlotte Lucas.

Gov. Mike Parson met with the honorees during a private reception at the Missouri Governor’s Mansion before addressing the 425 industry leaders gathered for the induction ceremony.

“Agriculture is the heart and soul of Missouri, and the recipients of this award truly deserve the honor,” Gov. Parson said. “To be able to recognize them and be part of this first-ever Hall of Fame makes me so proud of our state and proud to be your governor.”

The Missouri Agricultural Hall of Fame was created in 2023 to recognize farmers, ranchers and agribusiness leaders who have made outstanding contributions to the state’s agriculture industry. Inductees are selected by a committee and honored annually.

"The inaugural class represents a wide swath of the industry—entrepreneurs and educators, businessmen and advocates—but most of all, they’re dedicated to Missouri agriculture," said Karri Wilson, Missouri State Fair Foundation executive director. “The foundation congratulates our first members of the Missouri Agricultural Hall of Fame. This is just the start of what we hope will become a lasting tradition of honoring the men and women who make up the fabric of agriculture here in the great state of Missouri.”

Missouri Agricultural Hall of Fame inductees received an exclusive award created by Missouri artist Clay Gant, who operates “Cowboy Bronze” in Cross Timbers. The custom sculpture represents the power and diversity of Missouri’s agricultural landscape and features a beef bull, wheat and corn.

MFA Incorporated and MFA Oil are presenting sponsors of the Agricultural Hall of Fame, which is also supported by other key sponsors such as Missouri Electric Cooperatives, Dairy Farmers of America, Allstate Consultants, ADM, Nabholz & Kinetic and Central Missouri AGRIService.

“As one of the oldest agricultural businesses in Missouri, it was an honor to be a presenting sponsor of the event that recognized the inaugural Agricultural Hall of Fame class,” said MFA Incorporated CEO Ernie Verslues. “The ag industry has done so much for MFA over the years. This is just another example of MFA giving back by supporting organizations that develop and recognize leaders in agriculture.” 

The Inaugural Recipients Were William H. Darr, Jay Fischer, Blake And Julie Hurst, Charlie Kruse, And Forrest And Charlotte Lucas.

The Hall of Fame is also supported by the Missouri State Fair Foundation’s 1901 Society, named in homage to the first Missouri State Fair held in September 1901. The society was established in 2023 to recognize lifetime giving to the foundation. MFA Incorporated’s longstanding support for the fair places it as a “Founder’s Medallion Level” member of the 1901 Society.

“The future is bright for the state fair, and lots of things are going on right now,” said Brent Dunn, Missouri State Fair Foundation member. “When we were putting tonight’s information together, we found a fair booklet published in 1901 that said, ‘The Missouri State Fair will be what Missourians make it. It should be the greatest institution of its kind on earth because of the fertility of our soil, the great variety of our products, the superiority of our herds and the progressive character of our citizenship.’ That was true in 1901, it is still true today, and through your support, it will be true in the future.”

For more information, visit the Missouri State Fair Foundation online at www.mostatefairfoundation.net

INAUGURAL AWARD WINNERS

Bill Darr and his wife, Virginia, were on hand at the induction ceremony to receive the Hall of Fame award.

William H. Darr

The wide-ranging contributions of William “Bill” and Virginia Darr to Missouri agriculture include business, academics and philanthropy. The Darrs have been dedicated to improving the quality of life in communities throughout Southwest Missouri, including Springfield and Bill’s hometown of Ellington. Bill earned an agriculture degree from what is now Missouri State University in Springfield and credits his education for fostering an entrepreneurial spirit that led him to establish several highly successful companies that specialized in dehydrated food products. Over the years, the Darrs have continually given back to Missouri State University and its aptly named Darr College of Agriculture. The family also endowed a scholarship program to recognize students for exceptional academic excellence and established the Darr Family Foundation in 2002 to continue their commitment to supporting people in need.

 * * *

Jay Fischer and his wife, Kim, left, are congratulated by First Lady Teresa and Gov. Mike Parson at a reception at the Governor’s Mansion prior to the Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Jay Fischer

Jay Fischer has farmed for more than 30 years, growing corn, soybeans, wheat, alfalfa, pumpkins and watermelons in Jefferson City. He, his wife, Kim, and daughter, Jena, also operate an agritourism business, welcoming more than 20,000 visitors to their corn maze and pumpkin patch each fall. Jay works on behalf of the state’s corn farmers, having served as the Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA) president and vice president and Missouri Corn Merchandising Council vice chairman and secretary. He currently serves as an ex-officio MCGA board member through his role on the board of directors for the U.S. Grains Council, a partner of Missouri Corn, focused on strengthening and building corn and ethanol markets around the globe. Fischer is active within his community and serves as president of the Capital View Levy District. The family was also recognized with the Governor’s Award for Agriculture in 2011.

 * * *

Julie and Blake Hurst, left, are congratulated by First Lady Teresa and Gov. Mike Parson at a reception at the Governor’s Mansion prior to the Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Blake & Julie Hurst

Blake and Julie Hurst started farming in 1977 on a rented farm near Tarkio. Since then, they’ve produced three children and six grandchildren, added a greenhouse business and grown 44 crops of corn and soybeans. The Hursts have both been active in farm policy. Julie was chairman of Missouri’s Farm Service Agency committee, and Blake served for 10 years as president of Missouri Farm Bureau. While at Farm Bureau, Blake helped the organization successfully lobby for farmers across the state and grow in financial strength. Blake also served for 10 years on the American Farm Bureau board. Julie accompanied him during those years, supporting Farm Bureau at hundreds of meetings and events. Blake has also written articles on farm policy for numerous national publications and continues to write today, as his muse and time allow. The Hursts are still farming, growing flowers, watching their grandchildren participate in sports, and traveling together.

 * * *

Charlie Kruse and his wife, Pam, left, are congratulated by First Lady Teresa and Gov. Mike Parson at a reception at the Governor’s Mansion prior to the Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Charlie Kruse

Dexter native Charles “Charlie” Kruse has a distinguished legacy of service to Missouri agriculture. A graduate of Dexter High School, he received a bachelor’s degree in agronomy from Arkansas State University in 1967 and a master’s degree in plant genetics from the University of Missouri in 1974. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout at age 14, and in 2003 was named a Distinguished Eagle Scout by the Boy Scouts of America organization. He spent 26 years in the National Guard, retiring with the rank of brigadier general. He served on the MU Board of Curators, as Missouri director of agriculture and as president of Missouri Farm Bureau from 1992 to 2010. He also served on the board and executive committee for the American Farm Bureau and received its highest honor, the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, in 2012. He and his wife, Pam, farmed for 38 years, retiring in 2014. They raised two sons, Ben, who died in an ATV accident at age 28, and Scott, principal of Dexter Middle School. Scott and his wife, Kerri, have two daughters, Addie and Andie.

***

Forrest Lucas, center, is congratulated by First Lady Teresa Parson and Gov. Mike Parson at a reception at the Governor’s Mansion prior to the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Lucas’ wife, Charlotte, was unable to attend.

Forrest & Charlotte Lucas

Forrest and Charlotte Lucas are leaving an enduring legacy for the agricultural industry and communities they serve. Through Protect The Harvest and Lucas Cattle Company, the Lucases have demonstrated what it means to champion causes that protect and nurture American agriculture and rural life. Founded in 2011, Protect The Harvest is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting farmers, ranchers, outdoor enthusiasts and animal owners. The organization continues to achieve important milestones in its mission to ensure “A Free and Fed America.” Located in Cross Timbers, Mo., Lucas Cattle Company spans more than 16,000 acres and is home to the nation’s largest registered Simmental cattle herd and a breeding program for elite cutting horses. In partnership with the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation, Forrest and Charlotte have also dedicated themselves to fighting food insecurity in the state through the Hogs for Hunger initiative and the annual Drive to Feed Kids.

 CLICK TO READ MORE FROM THE 2024 MAY ISSUE OF TODAY'S FARMER MAGAZINE.

New barn gives California High School students room to raise pigs

Interest in agriculture is strong at Missouri’s California R-1 High School. The numbers tell the story. Out of the school’s 430 students, 310 are enrolled in FFA and ag education classes this year.

However, many of those students don’t live on farms or have a place to raise their own animals. That’s why the school has dedicated space and resources to building facilities that provide those opportunities.

The newest addition to California R-1 High School’s agriculture campus is a 30-x-30-foot swine barn. Freshman agriculture students, from left, Emily Burger, Cadence Reed and Izzy Hulsey are showing pigs for the first time this year. The new swine barn allows them to house their animals on campus since they don’t have a place to keep them at home. Hulsey’s gilt named “Porky” is one of the barn’s residents.“I believe our program is successful because we have kids who are very goal-driven and know they’re going to get hands-on learning here that they can’t get anywhere else,” said Gary Reichel, FFA adviser and agriculture instructor. “We have a shop where kids can do drafting and engineering. We have our greenhouses where they can grow plants. We have a livestock facility where we raise sheep, chickens and cattle.

These facilities allow students to have supervised agriculture experience projects on campus and take the classroom into the real world.”
The latest addition is a 30-x-30-foot swine barn equipped with 10 pens for students to house their show pig projects. Completed last summer, the facility was built with help from a $5,000 grant from the MFA Incorporated Charitable Foundation and matching funds from CoBank’s Sharing Success program.

“We were so blessed to get these grants,” Reichel said. “The community is what makes this agriculture program run. Without support from agribusinesses like MFA, none of this could be built. And if they support us while these kids are in school, we hope we can support them with employees in the future.”

The new barn makes it possible for students such as freshman FFA member Cadence Reed to show pigs for the first time. She acquired a Duroc named “Tomato” about two months ago and plans to exhibit her at surrounding county fairs and possibly the Missouri State Fair this year.

“We live out in the country, but our neighborhood has an HOA (homeowners association), and we aren’t allowed to have animals on the land,” Reed said. “I really love how our school provides this barn, because without it, I wouldn’t be able to raise pigs.”
Fellow freshman and FFA member Emily Burger is also keeping her crossbred barrow, “Moon Pie,” in the school’s barn.

“As a kid, I used to help my babysitter raise pigs, and I really enjoyed it,” she said. “I thought it’d be fun to show pigs myself, and this is a great opportunity to get back into it. We recently moved out to the country, but we don’t have any place we can keep pigs, so this barn gives me a way to still participate in the project.”

Likewise, Izzy Hulsey, also a freshman, is showing pigs for the first time this year, thanks in part to the new swine barn. She said the experience is strengthening her love for agriculture and FFA.

“FFA is one of my favorite clubs because it’s a community where we all have the same interests and can talk about it openly,” Hulsey said. “I feel like a big reason we have such a good program at our school is because of all the hands-on opportunities we have here.”
Such enthusiasm for learning and camaraderie is what agriculture education is all about, Reichel added.

“Our students are learning more than just how to raise animals,” he said. “They’re learning the responsibility of completing a project from start to finish and how to work together to reach their goals. They can come away with something they’ve never done before with a sense of accomplishment and work ethic that will help them succeed in the future.”

The MFA Incorporated Charitable Foundation’s mission is to assist rural communities in MFA’s trade area by supporting organizations that are dedicated to education, youth, solving community problems and improving quality of life. For more information on grant opportunities, visit online at mfa-inc.com/charity.

CLICK TO READ MORE FROM THE 2024 MAY ISSUE OF TODAY'S FARMER MAGAZINE.

Raised on his family’s cattle and row-crop operation in Unionville, Mo., Michael earned an agribusiness degree from the University of Missouri and returned to the farm full time in 2011. Today, he farms with his father, Nick, and brother-in-law, Bennett, raising 1,200 acres of row crops and 100 head of feeder calves.

Michael and his wife, Kate, have two children, 4-year-old Grady and 7-month-old Nola (short for Magnolia). When he’s not farming, Michael enjoys pursuing his other passion—tractor pulling.

He spoke to Today’s Farmer in March after co-hosting MFA Incorporated’s delegate meeting for districts 1, 2 and 4 in Albany, Mo.
What made you want to return to the farm full time?

After college, I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do, so I worked a couple of jobs, one in trucking and one in the ag industry. In 2011, I had an opportunity to come back to the farm and pick up my own ground without competing for acreage with my dad. So that’s what I did. I always liked the sight of a freshly planted or harvested field, and I enjoy watching the crops and calves grow throughout the season. Plus, there’s a lot to be said for being your own boss and setting your own schedule.

What prompted you to serve on MFA Incorporated’s board?
In college, I wrote a senior essay on cooperatives, and that was one of the driving factors behind why I wanted to do business with MFA in the first place. As a co-op member, you actually have a stake in the company, unlike a lot of our competitors. When I was asked to run for the board, I felt like it would not only be a chance to see behind the curtain of MFA, so to speak, but also a good way to give back and represent the interests of farmers in my district, especially being a young farmer.

What are some of MFA’s most significant accomplishments during your first years on the board?
I’m just starting my third year as a director, but I’ve seen several changes and steps in the right direction. Gaining efficiencies has been a focus ever since I joined the board. Sites like Ravenwood and Higginsville are two examples—not spending money on outdated facilities but building something that’s going to be able to serve members well into the future. MFA Connect is another example. People today are used to things like online banking, so giving people access to their MFA account information at their fingertips and at their convenience is a smart move. There’s a new crop of people my age and younger who do business differently than the last generation. It’s important to connect with these members and show them the value of our co-op versus the competitor down the road.

What have you learned as a member of the MFA board that you might not have known without the closer involvement?
Every board meeting involves a good, productive roundtable discussion. If you have a concern or questions, everybody gets a chance to be heard, and everybody’s opinion is valued. Even though the directors all have very different perspectives, the board as a whole is focused on the future of MFA and able to see the big picture. And I really do believe that staff feels the same way.

What would be your advice to fellow farmers about getting involved with leadership at MFA or other ag organizations?
I’m president of our Putnam County Fair board, and it’s a young board. And what I tell them is that the more you get involved, the more it’s going to help you in life. Start in your local community, learn how boards work, and then step up from there, whether it be the county, region, state or even national level. Be a good listener, and when you speak, make sure it’s something important and on topic. The ones who step up and get involved are the ones who will have an advantage over those who don’t.

CLICK TO READ MORE FROM THE 2024 MAY ISSUE OF TODAY'S FARMER MAGAZINE.