The Sullivan Independent News

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources recently announced it will offer up to $500,000 for organizations to offer energy-efficiency education and training to Missouri farmers under the Energize Missouri Agriculture Field Day: Energy Training Program.
Applicants will apply to receive grant funding to host training sessions that will provide information to farmers regarding how to identify opportunities for increasing energy efficiency, how to conduct energy assessments, and how to calculate energy savings and simple payback. The [...]

Farmers will have the opportunity to learn more about truck regulations that may affect them in a program sponsored by University of Missouri Extension. Meetings will be held on Aug. 23 at the University of Missouri Extension Center in St. Peters and Aug. 24 in the lower level of the Memorial Auditorium in Union. Each meeting will begin at 9 a.m. and wrap up around noon.
Bill Hampton with Missouri Department of Transportation will provide the [...]

Back to harvest record corn and soybean crops, according to the latest survey of growers conducted by Farm Futures magazine.
Corn yields could reach a record 167.4 bushels per acre nationwide, resulting in a mammoth crop of 13.47 billion bushels. By contrast, farmers grew 13.15 billion bushels of corn in 2009, according to USDA, on yields of 165.2 bushels per acre nationwide, which were both all-time highs.
On August 12, USDA releases its first estimate of 2010 [...]

4-H members must complete project paperwork in order to complete the 4-H year. Those who complete the year will receive a completion medal for the number of years they have completed. First year members will receive a first year pin, second year members will receive a second year pin, and so on.
The county rules that you signed when you enrolled specify the minimum requirements a member must meet in order to receive a completion medal. [...]

A program on tools and exercises for gardeners who suffer with arthritis will be held on Fri., Aug. 13. The program will be held at 1 p.m. at the Peoples Bank Annex Meeting Room on West Washington in Cuba, MO.
The free program is co-sponsored by the Crawford County Extension Homemakers Association and the Crawford County Extension Council.
Andy Read, University of Missouri Extension Horticulture Specialist and Pat Snodgrass, Crawford County Extension Program Director will present the [...]

Summer. The perfect time to gather with family and friends for a backyard barbeque. Whether your grill is adorned with a t-bone steak, pork chop, chicken, or vegetables, Missouri’s farmers and ranchers are committed to producing the food you and your family enjoy.
The Missouri Pork Association has teamed up with other Missouri agriculture organizations to launch a summer education campaign with the St. Louis Cardinals. Titled “Missouri Farmers: Stepping Up to the Plate,” the goal [...]

The Missouri Corn Merchandising Council hosted grain buying groups from Korea and Costa Rica recently to highlight the ability of Missouri’s corn producers to provide quality, consistent corn exports. Organized in partnership with the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), the groups explored U.S. corn production, marketing and export systems, and worked to establish direct buying relationships.
“These visits allow foreign buyers the opportunity to see Missouri corn production and handling practices firsthand,” said Gary Clark, Missouri Corn [...]

Soybeans aren’t just for eating anymore. In addition to numerous industrial uses that are being researched every day, the oil from soybeans is contributing to U.S. energy independence,  creating rural employment opportunities and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
When soybeans are processed, they are crushed to extract the oil from the meal. Soybeans are produced primarily for their 80 percent meal content, but biodiesel is produced from the soybean oil, a commodity that has historically existed in [...]

The Missouri Department of Agriculture launched Focus on Missouri Agriculture, an online photo contest asking the public to help capture the story of agriculture in pictures.  The contest, which will run through July 26, asks amateur photographers to submit their best photographs depicting Missouri agriculture.
“Every farm has a story to tell and photos are a great way to capture this story,” said Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler. “This contest will allow Missourians to share [...]

Missouri is home to more than 2,000 agricultural businesses. Monsanto Chemical Company and Ralston Purina are just two examples of such businesses serving farmers worldwide.
In addition to Monsanto’s agricultural chemicals and Ralston’s animal feeds, the companies supply seeds, feed, grain storage and a variety of other products and services.
Some of the nation’s largest farm cooperatives are headquartered in Missouri. Farmland Industries, Inc., the United States’ largest farm cooperative, and Dairy Farmers of America, the nation’s [...]