PDF version of Commercial Agriculture Newsletter (634 KB) Weather stations continues to grow Charles D. Fulhage Master Farmer Award seeks Missouri's best; July 1 entry deadline for new annual program Top 10 ways to reduce tractor fuel consumption Farm Computer Conference attracts its usual crowd Deadly tornadoes not an omen of Missouri’s 2008 storm season Danforth, MU to study and research cassava Managing fertilizer prices on pastures Management options to increase return on fertilizer dollars Dates for your calendar Focus Team Contacts Beef Crops Cattle producers encouraged to take precautions to stop cattle theft Today's Beef Options Missouri beef producers fund research for consumers Training and continuing education course scheduled for nutrient management planners Historical aerial land photos can save money on lime use Researchers take to air to manage noxious weed, teasel, along I-70   Dairy Swine 200 attended Missouri Dairy Forum Smaller milk checks to arrive at dairy farms in March after record prices since mid-2007 Grassland Annual Meeting More than 300 interested in swine production attended the 2008 Missouri Pork Expo Did you know... Checkoff finds partner to help support animal agriculture The number one customer for U.S. soybean meal is animal agriculture. The farmer leaders of the United Soybean Board—USB—and soybean checkoff recognize this and are partnering with the Center for Food Integrity—CFI—to expand the checkoff’s efforts to support a strong domestic animal agriculture industry. The partnership between USB and CFI extends to every farmer or producer in the United States through a more united agricultural industry that’s working to ensure consumers continue to demand U.S.-grown food products and are secure in the knowledge that U.S. producers, both grain and livestock alike, are working for a sustainable future for agriculture. This is a partnership built on mutual goals as CFI models for building consumer trust and informing consumers about modern animal agriculture practices correlate strong with checkoff efforts to ensure that the livestock and poultry industries continue to exist and thrive in the United States. Dr. Taylor Woods receives 2008 Veterinarian of the Year Award Veterinarian Taylor Woods, acting state veterinarian with the Missouri Department of Agriculture, was honored at the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association’s 116th Annual Convention. Each year the Association’s Board of Directors selects the Veterinarian of the Year based on the candidate’s contributions to their community, the state, and to people whose lives they have touched. Commercial Agriculture Administration and Staff Rex E. Ricketts, Coordinator S102 Animal Sciences Research Center Columbia, MO 65211 (573) 882-4553 RickettsR@missouri.edu Dick Lee, Communications S102 Animal Sciences Research Center Columbia, MO 65211 (573) 882-0378 LeeRic@missouri.edu John Travlos, AgEBB Systems Administrator 325 Mumford Hall Columbia, MO 65211 (573) 882-4827 TravlosJ@missouri.edu Katrina Turner, Administrative Assistant S102 Animal Sciences Center Columbia, MO 65211 (573) 882-0378 TurnerKa@missouri.edu Pat Guinan, Climatologist 103 ABNR Columbia, MO 65211 (573) 882-5908 GuinanP@missouri.edu Commercial Agriculture's Internet address: http://agebb.missouri.edu/commag/ For more information on the Commercial Agriculture program, contact Rex Ricketts, 573-882-4553.