Bulletins

How Conservation Practices Influence Agricultural Economic Returns

This paper is intended to help agricultural lenders and other members of the farm finance community better understand how soil health conservation practices, particularly conservation tillage and cover crops, affect both on-farm profitability and off-farm economics.

Native Pollinators and Their Habitats: Master Pollinator Steward

The Missouri Master Pollinator Steward Program was developed to educate the public about pollinators and how they can take action. This resource is one of five chapters of information on insects, pollination, and conservation. To view other chapters in the program curriculum, follow the link below:

Cover Cropping for Pollinators and Beneficial Insects

This 16-page bulletin from Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) will help you use cover crops to encourage populations of pollinators and beneficial insects while also addressing other resource concerns.

Progress Report: Adoption of Soil Health Systems

Read this Progress Report: Adoption of Soil Health Systems Based on Data from the 2017 U.S. Census of Agriculture to learn about current trends in cover crop and no-till usage in the United States. This report released by the Soil Health Institute is based on data from the 2017 U.S. Census of Agriculture, released...

Considerations in Selecting No-TIll

This resource from Iowa State University considers the advantages of a no-till system. The publication looks at weed control, residue management, equipment requirements, nutrient management and the results of yield and economic return studies.

Missouri No-Till Planting Systems

This publication from University of Missouri Extension reviews our current body of knowledge on no-till planting systems in Missouri and covers many of the issues surrounding this crop production technique.

Establishing Mixtures of Native Warm-Season Grasses and Forbs

This guide describes the use of warm-season forages, including grasses, forbs, and legumes, for enhanced wildlife and pollinator habitat. The mixtures can be used as part of overall forage production objectives and increased haying and grazing opportunities.

Nutrient Stewardship 4R pocket guide

This pocket guide provides an overview of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Concept. The concept is simple—apply the right source of nutrient, at the right rate, at the right time and in the right place.

Grazing Cover Crops: A How-To Guide

This how-to guide from Pasture Project is an introduction to farmers and ranchers interested in learning more about the benefits and practices of grazing cover crops. The guide can also be found on their website, below:

Conservation Buffers: Design Guidelines for Buffers, Corridors, and Greenways

This manual provides over 80 illustrated design guidelines for conservation buffers, based on a review of over 1,400 research publications. Each guideline describes a specific way that a vegetative buffer can be applied to protect soil, improve air and water quality, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, produce economic products, provide recreation opportunities, or beautify...