Apr 13, 2021
Thriving fields of fescue allow Southwest Missouri to grow and maintain some of the largest cowherd numbers in the United States, but the cool-season forage may have even more green to give producers â now for their pocketbooks.
During a University of Missouri Extension Livestock Town Hall meeting, beef specialist Eric Bailey shared research and results that could help producers pinpoint the perfect weaning strategy for fall-born calves. âI m interested in asking the question of â is there an opportunity to take advantage of the success of spring growth in the fescue belt by perhaps extending the amount of time that you leave the calf on the cow by delaying weaning a bit?â Bailey said. âRather than using that excess forage growth harvested as dry hay, stored, and fed the next winter, harvesting a portion of it while it s still in a lush vegetative state.â
LES WINKELER
For The Southern
MARIONÂ â Phase one of Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refugeâs face-lift is nearing completion while the second phase is on the drawing board.
The refuge staff hopes to move into its soon-to-be completed headquarters building early in 2020. The new building was constructed on the site of the old administration building on the shores of Crab Orchard Lake, just west of the current Visitor Center, located on Route 148 south of Route 13.
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refugeâs administrative staff has been housed in temporary quarters since 2011.
âWe hope to accept the building by the end of the calendar year and hope to move in in January,â said Justin Sexton, refuge manager. âCOVID restrictions will slow us down, but early in 2021.â