agricultue

Campgrounds, boat ramps and other facilities in at least 30 locations at federal lakes and reservoirs in six states will be closed or have their hours curtailed as of mid-May. Those changes are coming as the Trump administration tries to rapidly shrink the U.S. government. Officials at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers say they are dealing with staffing shortages and other budgetary restrictions. Officials say the changes will protect hydropower and dam operations and concentrate staff in fewer recreational areas to allow those locations to keep full services. But a municipal official in one South Dakota town near a dam says there are better ways to cut spending.

The state has seen both drought and flooding after a bout of extreme weather.

The Trump administration’s tariff announcements this week are bringing uncertainty to farmers going into planting season. Farm groups warn that retaliatory tariffs will add an additional “burden” to U.S. producers.

The current drought alert has been in effect since October and is set to expire at the end of March.

Livestock specialists recommend farmers adjust their grazing practices and cycle through different types of chemicals to combat resistance.

Farm groups are urging the Trump administration to rethink tariffs.

Commodity producers across the country are eligible for economic relief payments.

Certified Naturally Grown has similar standards to the National Organic Program, but is less costly and requires less paperwork from farmers. But it has an uphill battle if it wants trust and recognition at the grocery store.

University of Missouri researchers are analyzing yield and soil health of corn grown with swine waste.

Every day, Missourians pay a small tax with each purchase they make that’s been supporting conservation efforts in the state. And now that Missouri is in a drought alert, those dollars are helping farmers prepare.