Missouri Agriculture Updates

JEFFERSON CITY – The latest Missouri Agriculture Updates have been released.

Applications Available for 2024 Missouri Agribusiness Academy 

The Missouri Department of Agriculture is offering 30 high school students representing 4-H clubs and FFA chapters, as well as farm families, throughout Missouri the opportunity to explore careers in agriculture through the 2024 Missouri Agribusiness Academy (MAbA). MAbA is a competitive program for sophomores interested in pursuing agriculture-related degrees and careers.

“The Missouri Agribusiness Academy is a unique opportunity for students interested in agriculture,” said Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn. “Each year, we see the students grow through their MAbA experience. The students learn how an agriculture career may be the right fit for them, all while making lifelong friends and industry connections.”

The students selected will participate in a yearlong program to learn about the unique opportunities for careers in the Springfield area, volunteer at the Missouri State Fair and learn more about the agriculture industry in Jefferson City. The 2024 schedule will be finalized in the spring and will include visits with industry and agribusiness leaders, as well as tours of their facilities.

Since 1988, the Missouri Agribusiness Academy has graduated more than 1,090 students through a competitive application and interview process. The first portion of the 2024 MAbA will be held June 3-7, and marks the program’s 37th year. Students interested in participating must submit an application by Feb. 1, 2024.

For applications and guidelines, as well as more information on the Missouri Department of Agriculture and its programs, visit the Department online at Agriculture.Mo.Gov.

Gearing Up for Safety Youth Curriculum

The Show-Me Farm Safety Committee recently discovered the need to have farm safety curriculum ready and available for Missouri agriculture educators to teach agricultural students.

Purdue University recently created a program called “Gearing Up for Safety.” The purpose of the program is to provide the necessary tools for organizing and conducting a local production agriculture safety training program for youth, and to afford parents, employers, or supervisors of youth the means to conduct on-the-job safety training.

It includes program planning suggestions, resources, and a carefully-designed and tested curriculum for teaching. These topics have been identified by agricultural safety and health experts as essential for youth to know and demonstrate in order to safely operate agricultural equipment, as well as perform other hazardous farm and ranch tasks.

The first 16 lessons of content are specifically designed for youth between the ages of 14 and 19 who are either legally protected under child labor or federal workplace safety and health regulations, or who are enrolled in 4-H or secondary agricultural education programs.

For more information on farm safety, please visit farmsafety.mo.gov.

MU Releases Feedstuff Finder

Farmers and ranchers have a new tool to find or list hay and co-product feedstuffs for sale: Feedstuff Finder, developed by University of Missouri Extension for individuals looking to buy or sell products.

As drought and transportation issues make finding quality feed ingredients difficult, Feedstuff Finder helps livestock producers and feed producers find each other easily. Sourcing and pricing alternative feed sources is made more intuitive with the website’s mapping tool, said Wesley Tucker, MU Extension agricultural business specialist.

Sellers of co-products like soyhulls, distillers grains or corn gluten feed, as well as forages like corn silage or hay, can share prices, product information and locations with potential buyers at no cost, he said. Buyers can view available products on an easy-to-navigate map, complete with product details and a delivery cost estimator. Feedstuff listings are free and can be sorted by forage or co-product type and price per unit.

“We hope to see Feedstuff Finder become the go-to platform for suppliers and livestock producers in Missouri,” Tucker said. “This is a one-of-a-kind tool that can better connect the industry and make sourcing local feed products easier. This winter, many Missouri cattle producers are going to be searching for feed. A lot of hay and other feed ingredients are going to be hauled into and around Missouri. Feedstuff Finder can make the job of keeping livestock fed easier.”

Feed is the most significant cost for many livestock producers, and major market risks exist as a variety of factors can affect the availability, cost and quality of feedstuff products. As MU Extension works to double the value of Missouri agriculture, assisting the state’s farmers and ranchers in mitigating risk is of particular importance, Tucker said.

“Feedstuff Finder has been developed to make farmers’ lives simpler,” said MU Extension agricultural economist Ryan Milhollin. “The platform helps producers and consumers of feedstuffs geographically find each other, cut transportation costs and manage tight winter feed supplies when feed costs and availability can be volatile.”

MU Extension is collaborating with the Missouri Department of Agriculture and the MU Agricultural Electronic Bulletin Board to populate directories and help users become familiar with Feedstuff Finder. Instructional videos, in-person training and other resources will be available to assist new users.

Visit www.FeedstuffFinder.org to view feedstuff product listings. Individuals can create a free account to post products for sale.

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