Think Outside the Barn

Weekly Livestock Market Summary

Buyers saw a good assortment of cattle this week as head counts were more evenly spaced across all weights. Many, if not all, interested in the industry have spent some time in recent weeks pondering the the feeder cattle supply -  wondering just how feeder numbers continue to be at current levels and how long it will last.

To view the full report, visit the MDA Market News website.

Source: MO Dept of Ag-USDA Market News Service, Jefferson City, MO
            Tony Hancock, Market Reporter, (573) 751-5618

Friday Fixin's - Morel Mushroom Pasta

We started thinking about morels when we saw a post by The Urban Farming Guys sharing that they found 210 morel mushrooms yesterday in a burned out forest in St. Louis. One member of the team even encouraged their relatives to get out there and start hunting (who we can't name to protect their favorite hunting spot!) - she came back with a heaping colander of morels.

If you don't have a guide willing to share their favorite spots and advice, try taking a look at the Missouri Department of Conservation tips for seeking out these treasures before you go mushroom hunting.

After you've found your morels, there are many ways to prepare them.  One option is to slice the mushrooms and soak them for an hour in saltwater - then try this recipe from St. Louis Chef Chris Desens who now teaches at the Culinary Institute of St. Louis at Hickey College. This was the AgriMissouri winning recipe at the 2003 Governor's Conference on Agriculture and a special feature in the Spring 2004 edition of Green Horizons magazine by the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry and the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.

Morel Mushroom Pasta - AgriMissouri Gold Medal Winner
2 ½ oz. Fresh Black Pepper Fettuccine
1 Tbs. Clarified Butter
2 tsp. Shallots, minced
½ cup morel mushrooms (Chef Desens recommends Ozark Forest Mushrooms if you can't find your own)
¼ cup Asparagus, peeled, blanched and diced
1 Tbs. Stone Hill Winery Seyval
½ cup Heavy Cream
1 Tbs. Roasted Garlic
¼ cup Burger's Country Ham, diced
1 Tbs. Lemon Zest
1 Tbs. Fresh Basil, minced from Herb Gathering, Inc
1 tsp. Fresh Tarragon, minced from Herb Gathering, Inc
1 tsp. Fresh Parsley, minced from Herb Gathering, Inc
1 tsp. Fresh Chives, minced from Herb Gathering, Inc
2 Tbs. Whole Butter
¾ cup Parmesan Cheese
To Taste: Salt and Pepper from McCarthy Spice and Blends

In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add salt and pasta. Heat a large sauté pan over high heat. Add clarified butter. Once the butter is hot, add the shallots and morel mushrooms. Allow to sauté for one minute. Add asparagus. After another minute, deglaze pan with Stone Hill Winery Seyval. Reduce heat and add the heavy cream and the roasted garlic. Stir and allow to reduce. Check the pasta. When done, add to the pan along with the rest of the ingredients. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve in a warm pasta bowl. Serves 1

 Morel Mushroom photo courtesy of the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Missouri Agribusines Academy Class of 2012 Announced!

Agriculture has a tremendous impact on our nation’s economy, and Missouri is at the heart of this industry. It is important that young people carry on the tradition and heritage of those who have made this state the agricultural leader it is today.The Missouri Agribusiness Academy is a youth leadership program focused on career exploration in the fields of agribusiness, government and production agriculture.

Each year, the Missouri Department of Agriculture gives 30 high school students from throughout Missouri the opportunity to explore careers in agriculture through the  Missouri Agribusiness Academy – a competitive membership for sophomores interested in pursuing agriculture-related college degrees and careers.  Since 1988, the Missouri Agribusiness Academy has awarded more than 700 academy memberships through a competitive application and interview process.

This year, the students selected have the opportunity to learn about the many unique opportunities for careers in agriculture.  The group will spend June 4-8 in the St. Louis area, visiting with industry leaders and agribusinesses specializing in animal health, communications, sales and financial management.

Congratulations to the Missouri Agribusiness Academy 2012 Class!!!

Micala Gillen
Ellen Jackson
Catherine Littlefield
Austin Witt
Yia Yang
Lindsey Gastler
Nathaniel Finck
Danielle Bounds
Brittney McBride
Sara Van Ausdal
Clara Knipp
Trent Kempker
Kaitlin Fifer
Jillian Bertz
Alexandra Griffith
Jaime Luke
Angie Hamilton
Victoria Lock
Morgan Walkup
Megan Ellis
Cassidy Ward
Megan Abel
Taylor Strain
Katelyn Stoops
Rachael Bonacker
Stephanie Lawrence
Kendra Elder
Daniel Worley
Jack Davis
Jessica Hampton

For more information on the 2012 class, including photos and biographical information for the students, visit the Department's MAbA web page at http://mda.mo.gov/connect/youth/agribusacademy.php! 

In the News - Make 2012 the Year You Garden

We think every year is a great year to garden. But CNN points out that this year is a great year to begin growing produce in your own backyard. For starters, Missourians are facing beautiful spring weather earlier which gets us thinking how much we need to be outside. In addition, growing fruits and vegetables is very rewarding for your dinner table and to your well-being.

As the article points out "grow an herb you are sick of having to pay money for at a store. Grow a vegetable that reminds you of how a grandparent's kitchen smelled. Grow a fruit you always want to have at your fingertips. Grow an ingredient that will make your sauce, stew, soup or salad taste the way it did when you had it at that little cafe in Rome, France, Mexico City or Des Moines."

http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2012/03/22/this-is-the-year-you-garden/?hpt=ea_r3

AgriMissouri Morsels - Wheaters

This week's AgriMissouri Morsels feature highlights Liberty, Mo.-based Wheaters. The crunchy, salty, whole-grain snack is made with all-natural ingredients, is organic and fits into a vegan diet.  We took Wheaters on the road to St. Louis this week for a taste-test, and the nutty bites got a great review - check out the video of the taster's reactions!

 

Earlier this month, Foods of Liberty, the Liberty, Mo.-based parent of Wheaters products announced that they are feeling the burden of the current economy and are considering some very tough options for the immediate and long-term future of their business.  While we're very sad to see any Missouri business face such decisions, it is especially hard when those individuals are part of the AgriMissouri family.  We wish them the best, regardless of how they choose to move forward, and are happy to share that they have assured us that Wheaters will continue to be available! 

Visit FoodsofLiberty.com for more information, or check out their page on AgriMissouri.com.

Learn More About Making Hay with MU Extension in Southwest Missouri

The Springfield News Leader recently published an announcement about two hay-making workshops in southwest Missouri - one in Fair Grove and the other in Mount Vernon.  The workshops are hosted by the University of Missouri Cooperative Extension Service and will be held in April. 

As hay is an important crop in Missouri and very important to our state's hundreds of thousands of livestock producers, these day-long workshops provide an outstanding opportunity for those already growing and baling hay, as well as for livestock producers and horse owners interested in learning more about haying.

According to the Springfield News Leader, the first hay school will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 14, at the Fair Grove Lions Club, 142 S. Orchard Blvd., Fair Grove and the second will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Monday, April 23, and continue from 9 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Tuesday at the Southwest Research Center near Mount Vernon.

The program registration and fee (lunch will be served) for school in Fair Grove is due by Wednesday, April 11. For more information, or to register, visit the Greene County Extension at 2400 S. Scenic in Springfield, call the center at 417-881-8909 or access the event brochure and registration form online at http://extension. missouri.edu/greene. Preregistration for Mount Vernon is required by April 18. Contact the Lawrence County Extension Center at 417-466-3102 to preregister or download a registration brochure at http://extension.missouri . edu/lawrence.

Use Caution in Early-Season Gardening

Another week of warm weather has many members of our team at the Department of Agriculture itching to put their green thumbs to work!  And from the comments you're sharing with our AgriMissouri team on Facebook and at community gatherings throughout Missouri, it looks like we're not the only ones looking to get those gardens full of fresh veggies going.

However, as the Springfield News Leader's Mike Penprase wrote recently, it's still pretty early in the year to get most garden plants into the ground.  In his article, titled "Plant at your own risk, expert says," Mike encourages gardeners to 'chill' a bit on their gardening plans.  He also reminds us all that the potential still exists for a 'plant-killing cold snap' despite the warmer-than-average temperatures we've been enjoying recently.

Check out Mike's full article on the Springfield News Leader's website, www.news-leader.com!

At the Department, Lincoln University agriculture student and MDA intern, Merle Ann, has been giving some time to start several varieties of tomato and pepper seeds for the Department's Growing Together Garden indoors. Other staff have also begun donating their time to the garden - planning how to best use the space, picking out seeds and preparing the soil for plants.

In the News - Early Start for Farmers

Saturday, St. Louis Post Dispatch's Georgina Gustin had an agriculture story titled "Farmers coping with an early start" that addresses this springs early spike in temperatures and what it means for farmers. As she points out, farmers are certainly keeping an eye on the weather and hitting the fields early.

But could this be a repeat of the nasty April freeze that 2007 brought to Missouri? It is too early to tell for now, but there is plenty of reason to be anxious about the possibility.

Read all of Georina's story at http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/farmers-coping-with-an-early-start/article_16e57a9c-739b-11e1-976e-001a4bcf6878.html.

In the News - Corps to hire private firm to complete Birds Point

The Southeast Missourian is reporting that the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers is "targeting mid-June to continue its efforts to restore the Birds Point-New Madrid Floodway levee" and the private sector is going to be there to complete the job.

Follow more of the story at: http://www.semissourian.com/story/1829229.html.

Trichomoniasis in Missouri - Has your bull been tested?

Missouri began enforcing the new Trichomoniasis regulations for bulls sold, leased, bartered or traded within the state in September 2011. The regulations require bulls be tested for the venereal disease, also known as ‘Trich.’

Trichomoniasis can be financially devastating for producers by reducing reproduction and live births in herds infected with the disease.

In 2011, Missouri tested thousands of samples from livestock producers and buyers in Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas and other states at the Animal Health Laboratory in Springfield using PCR technology.

The Department has added a map of counties from which samples have tested postive for trichonomiasis.  The numbers on the map indicate the number of positive tests recieved since testing began in the fall of 2011.

The regulations do offer exemptions for some producers, including those raising buffalo or bison, and those transporting bulls to a processing facility.  Virgin bulls 24 months of age or younger are also not required to be tested, but producers must complete the Trichonomiasis Virgin Status Certification Form and submit it to the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Certifications are valid for thirty (30) days, or upon change of ownership of the livestock.

Individuals transporting animals into Missouri must continue to provide a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, also known as a health certificate, from a licensed veterinarian for each animal entering the state, according to existing regulations.

For more information about submitting samples from your livestock for testing, visit the Department's Animal Health Division online at http://mda.mo.gov/animals/.