Amie Breshears, Agricultural Business Field Specialist with the University of Missouri, explains that if you are considering stocking up your freezer for the winter months by purchasing a whole or half animal from a local producer, understanding carcass yield is an important factor.

Learn more about buying meat direct from the farm in a new MU Extension guide. Find it at mizzou.us/buying meat.

Ryan Milhollin, agricultural economist, with University of Missouri Extension, explains there are new how-to videos and recources released by MU Extension that can help farm operators manage workers. The animated videos are shorter than 2.5 minutes each and guide Missouri farmers with best practices through the employment process — from recruitment to termination.

Find all the videos and related resources at mizzou.us/farmlabor

Through livestock risk protection (LRP) insurance, farmers engaged in livestock production can manage risk associated with market price volatility. Jason Morris, agriculture business specialist, with this University of Missouri explains, the advantages of obtaining an LRP insurance are many and provides protection against low market prices. LRP insurance covers beef, feeder cattle, swine and lambs.

For more information go to http://muext.us/LRP

Social media can be a powerful tool to build your local farm business. This is done by investing your time wisely and creating a strategy to meet your goals. Mallory Rahe, Associate Extension Professor, explains how social media can be a cost-effective way to improve your exposure by adding links to product listings, using quality photos, and providing contact information. It is through listening to customer feedback and responding to their questions that not only creates lasting relationships but also expands your customer base.

For more information on developing a social media marketing strategy, go to muext.us/HarnessSocialMedia

Lenders want to gain an understanding of the financial and production capabilities of your farm. Denice Ferguson, Field Specialist in Agricultural Business explains, a well-developed enterprise budget can demonstrate to your lender the projected businesses costs and returns for an activity, such as raising livestock or producing grain, during a specific production period and enhance your prospects for funding.

To download the forage planning budgets, go to: http://muext.us/MissouriAgBudgets

While there are dozens of online databases contain information related to any piece of land in the United States. Ray Massey, Agricultural Economist, with University of Missouri Extension explains, farmers, land owners, and lenders can find many of these databases in a single location – the University of Missouri Agsite Assessment Tool.

For more information on Agsite go to agsite.missouri.edu and click on the button that says “create an AgSite assessment.

Planning budgets are available for cool-season and warm-season forages. Ryan Milhollin, Agricultural Economist, with University of Missouri Extension explains, you can use MU Extension’s enterprise planning budgets to estimate your income and expenses. The planning you do now can help prepare your farm for financial success next year.

To download the forage planning budgets, go to: muext.us/MissouriAgBudgets

Before you buy seeds for next year, you can evaluate alternative crops with your region’s agronomic conditions by using the Missouri Ag Intel Crop Suitability Maps. Mallory Rahe, associate professor, with the University of Missouri Extension explains, once you find your county, you can explore suitability by growing days, temperature, precipitation, and the soil’s drainage, pH and texture. To get started go to agintel.missouri.edu and click on the Crop Suitability Maps.