Author: Adam Buckallew
Fair Season
County and state fairs, the ephemeral experiences that bring scores of people together for parades, livestock shows, carnivals, pageants and more, are a highlight of the summer for many rural residents. The draw of blue-ribbon competitions, Tilt-a-Whirl rides, funnel cakes and rodeos entices fairgoers out for fun and camaraderie despite […]
The Grazing Guru
Raising Grass-Fed Beef on Perennial Pastures Rip, rip, rip. The sound fills the summer morning air as red cattle indulgently chomp through a lush pasture on rolling verdant hills ringed with timber. Moving nonchalantly through the herd, rancher Greg Judy sports a broad grin. “That’s music to a grazier’s ear,” […]
Columbia Ag Park Holds Grand Opening
An overcast and foggy morning couldn’t dim the enthusiasm of thousands of shoppers who showed up at Clary-Shy Park on July 6 for the grand opening of Columbia’s new agriculture park. Nearly 100 vendors offering farm-fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, baked goods and flowers were present for the unveiling of the […]
Reflecting on 90 Years of Service
In June, MFA Oil Company celebrated the 90th anniversary of its founding. If you look back on the history of the cooperative, you will see that the company has evolved over time with a purpose to return the most value to our farmer-owners. Some highlights include: 1929 – Initial bulk […]
Fifth Annual MFA Oil Charity Golf Tournament & Concert Raises $140,000 for Operation Homefront
The Fifth Annual MFA Oil Charity Golf Scramble and Concert raised $140,000 for Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit organization that provides emergency and financial assistance to the families of U.S. military service members and veterans. The event was held June 3 at The Club at Old Hawthorne in Columbia and […]
MFA Oil Acquires Big O Tires Store in Warrensburg
MFA Oil Company, a Big O Tires franchisee based in Columbia, Mo., has acquired the Big O Tires store in Warrensburg, Mo., on May 31.
Jon Ihler Named Interim Chief Executive Officer
The MFA Oil Company Board of Directors has named Jon Ihler interim chief executive officer effective April 25, 2019. Ihler will be responsible for overseeing the company’s day-to-day operations of the refined fuel, propane, Petro-Card 24, Break Time, Big O Tires and Jiffy Lube operations across an eight-state region. Ihler […]
Making Milk Great Again
As Barb Shatto strolls through the freestall barn where dozens of her family’s dairy herd are busy feeding, she occasionally pauses to greet friendly cattle. “How are you doing this morning?” she asks while bending down to affectionately scratch behind the ears of a curious Holstein. This ritual plays out […]
‘A Constant Nightmare’
Flooding and Questionable River Management Priorities Put Farmers in a Tough Spot Doug Shepherd made a final attempt to harvest his stranded soybeans in mid-April, but he was forced to concede the remnants of last year’s crop were a lost cause. Shepherd’s fieldwork has been bogged down by seeping water […]
Rejuvenated by Fire
Each spring, infernos blaze across large swaths of the Flint Hills, consuming everything in their path. While fire would be cause for concern in most areas, on the nearly 10,000 square miles of rocky, unplowed prairie that stretch from eastern Kansas to northern Oklahoma, the flames are a necessity. The […]
‘A Focus on Ag Literacy’
When Scott Stone began his career as an ag teacher at Centralia High School in rural Centralia, Mo., 21 years ago, three out of every four students came from a farming family. Now, only 15 percent of his students come from the farm. As the demographics of his students have […]
Irrigators Tout the Perks of Propane
Farmers are looking for any advantage they can find to improve their balance sheets as the agricultural economy remains mired in a five-year rut. In the quest to control costs and maximize efficiency, irrigators are increasingly turning to propane to power their pumps. Robert Compton, an MFA Oil member and […]