Contributed Photo Since 1997, artists have showcased their gourd art at an annual Missouri festival  Necessity is often the foundation for creativity.  Archaeologists have uncovered gourds dating back as far as 13,000 BC used as tools, food bowls and other items. Indigenous peoples in North America used them as utensils, storage containers, dippers, birdhouses and musical instruments.  “In the Civil War, they used gourds as canteens,” Madonna Watermon, president of the Show-Me Gourd Society, said. “When you see an old movie with a well, those are dipper gourds.” While gourds hav ..read more

Contributed Photo Polk County, Mo., producer has always had “a few cows” BOLIVAR, MO. – Bob Moreland has worn many hats over the years. He’s been a rodeo cowboy, an ag lender, a bank president, a community leader, a realtor and a budding politician. However, there’s one job he has always had, being a cattleman.  Bob grew up in Johnson County, Mo., on his family cow/calf and cropping operation. He rodeoed his way through Labette Community College in Kansas and chased his rodeo dreams for a while. He then enrolled at Pittsburg State University, obtained a finance degree, and began a career ..read more

Contributed Photo Location: LaRussell, Mo. Owner: Joe Yoder History:Trimline Barns began in 1993. Joe Yoder purchased the business about five years ago from the original owners, who are family friends.  “We had the opportunity to buy it, so we bought it,” Joe said, adding that they built a new building on Highway 96 in LaRussell, Mo., after the purchase. “It was a business opportunity for us. We are a small, family-owned business.” Products and Services: Trimline Barns offers livestock shelters, chicken coops and tractors, sheds and tiny houses. “Storage sheds are our main line, and tiny ..read more

Contributed Photo Agriculture on the Move brings ag eduction to students SPRINGFIELD, MO. – Agriculture has arrived at the Greenwood Laboratory School on the Missouri State University campus in Springfield, Mo.  Malynne Atkinson teaches the Agriculture on the Move Program to Jill Martin’s fifth grade class of 30 students every Tuesday morning from early March through the end of April. She also teaches the program to Stacy Gray’s third grade class at the same location each week. The program boasts a 10-week curriculum with all materials provided for free to interested Missouri element ..read more

Contributed Photo Hometown: Conway, Mo. Family: Shane Bradley; and sons Nolan and Wren Bradley  In Town:“I’m heading into my third year teaching English at Conway High School. For the past nine, years I’ve been involved in education in some way, whether through homeschooling my own children, working at their preschools, subbing in Marshfield public schools, or in the case of the last two years, teaching high school English at Conway.” In the Country: “We bought 30 acres in 2020 to build our house on the Dallas County side of Conway. It’s mostly wooded with a little pas ..read more

Contributed Photo Age: 14 Hometown: Conway, Mo.  Parents: Brad and Zanadu Jordan Siblings: Peyton and Paris Jordan FFA Chapter: Marshfield FFA FFA Advisors: Justin Cron and Tanner Koenig 4-H Club: Farm and Field 4-H Club 4-H Leaders: Jeremy and Joni Day What is your involvement in agriculture?  “I am in Dairy Cattle Judging in FFA. On the farm, I usually wash and dry out my show cattle and walk them on halters. I have been showing cattle for about three years and we are just getting started in raising cattle, but we are looking into doing more of a cow/calf operation.”  What is ..read more

As the saying goes, age is just a number. But the quality of years you add to that number holds the key to a fulfilling, healthy life. With people enjoying longer lifespans than ever before, the concept of “Longevity Literacy” has evolved as an essential life skill. This article unpacks the facets of longevity literacy and why it’s crucial and offers actionable steps to enrich your golden years. What Is Longevity Literacy? Longevity literacy is a holistic concept that goes beyond the years you accumulate; it’s about making those years meaningful, active, and secure. It spans four significant p ..read more

envato, by Wirestock Management is far from over after heifers calve Producers who raise their own replacement females invest a significant amount of time and money to develop them to the point they are first-calf heifers. While getting those first calves on the ground is quite an achievement, the need to closely manage the females is far from over. In fact, the greatest challenge may still be ahead.  “It should be recognized by most experienced producers that first-calf heifers are the hardest to get bred back. That is largely because they are not only recuperating from calving, but they ..read more

Setups don’t need to be elaborate or expensive to be effective  Many times, working cattle can be stressful for animals and producers.The proper placement, design, and use of working facilities can ease stress on livestock and handlers.    No matter the size and budget of an operation, there are handling facility options available. “The setup doesn’t necessarily have to be elaborate or excessively expensive to be effective.  Scale your system to your needs and budget and take the project in phases if your budget doesn’t allow for building it all at once,” Andy McCorkill, fi ..read more

Producers should be focused on what the ultimate goal is  Safe to say, from one cattle operation to the next goals are as uniquely diverse as the producers themselves. Livestock extension specialists encourage producers to formulate thoughtful and attainable genetic objectives that are suitable for their operations. “If we don’t have an end goal in mind, then we are kind of driving all over the place,” Jamie Courter, Ph.D., University of Missouri State Beef Genetics Extension Specialist, said.  One of the keys to a successful operation is the development of specific and measurable ge ..read more