Momentum

Close-up of two green seedlings emerging from dark soil. The sprouts have small, oval leaves and are surrounded by dried twigs and organic matter. The background is slightly blurred, highlighting the fresh growth.

Soybeans Set to Challenge Corn as U.S. Crop King

For the first time in 35 years, soybeans are expected to be within reach of claiming the crown as the nation’s top crop. A poll of 21 trading firms and analysts conducted by Bloomberg predicts 2018 will be the year soybeans unseat corn as the top U.S. crop. The survey […]

Sowing Seeds of Doubt

Researchers Accuse Russia of Spreading Anti-GMO Propaganda Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election has been confirmed by the Trump Administration and U.S. intelligence agencies, but politics is far from the only arena where Russia has sought to shape international opinion. A recent review of Russian-funded media outlets conducted […]

Sunset view of a lush soybean field with green leaves in the foreground. Two white farm buildings stand in the background. The sun casts a warm glow across the scene, with a tree partly silhouetted against the sky.

No-Till, No Problem

Graves-Chapple Research Center Demonstrates Benefits of No-Till Systems Landowners across Missouri use numerous tillage systems, including plow, chisel, disk or strip-till. Tillage is the preparation of soil for growing crops using equipment to mechanically agitate and mix the soil. Eliminating tillage is also an option—simply called no-till. The University of […]

Pool Fisheries in Lonoke, Ark., ships 4 million fish per week and commands about 80 percent of the U.S. goldfish market.

Angling for a Turnaround

Driving along the grassy levees separating a half-dozen goldfish ponds in central Arkansas, Landon Pool points out the paths too dangerous to traverse by pickup truck. Pool, a 30-year-old fish farmer, is surveying the land he purchased last year, making note of the eroding earthen walls and the work it […]

Three men stand in a field of tall plants, examining the crops. Two are wearing dark jackets and the other, a puffer jacket. One man shows something in his hand to the others. Its a sunny day with a clear sky.

Stanton Brothers Teach Zuckerberg About Eggs, Ag and the Midwest

At first, Dustin Stanton thought the phone call was fake. Why would Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Facebook, want to come to rural Missouri to learn about selling chicken eggs? The call was real, however. Zuckerberg truly wanted to meet Dustin and his brother, Austin, the two young men […]

A large oil tanker is positioned near an offshore oil rig under a vivid sunset sky. The ocean reflects the colorful hues of the setting sun, creating a serene yet industrial scene.

Looking Back to Plan Ahead

Spring is a good time to look forward to your fuel needs for the fall harvest. So far this year, there’s been plenty of news about the energy industry, but overall, the market’s reaction to said news has been uneventful. Almost two years ago, Tom Kloza, global head of energy […]

5 Questions with Monte Fisher

How would you describe yourself and your farming operation? I grew up on my family’s farm near Brashear, Mo., and my family has been farming the ground there for about 80 years. I worked for the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) for 31 years before becoming a full-time farmer in […]

Judge Finds U.S. Government Responsible for Missouri River Flooding

A federal judge has ruled in favor of a group of 372 farmers, landowners and businesses who filed suit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for damages caused by repeated Missouri River flooding in recent years. Senior Judge Nancy Firestone of the United States Court of Federal Claims found […]

Firefighter helmets hanging on hooks, labeled for roles such as ASST. CHIEF and CAPTAIN. Helmets are in various colors, including white, red, and yellow, with full firefighting gear underneath them.

MFA Oil Foundation Supports Rural Fire Departments

Every 24 seconds, a fire department responds to an alarm somewhere in the United States. In most cases, it’s volunteer firefighters who show up to battle the flames or render emergency services. These volunteers save not only lives but also money—more than $139.8 billion annually for local governments, according to […]

Close-up of a network server with multiple colored cables connected. The image shows intricate wiring and connectors, highlighting data transmission and technology infrastructure.

Data-Driven Decisions

Sifting through mountains of data sounds dull, but as MFA Oil and other businesses have learned “there’s gold in them thar hills.” As the amount and variety of data available has skyrocketed, new opportunities have surfaced. That’s where MFA Oil’s business intelligence team comes into play. They analyze data to […]

No Pain, No Gain!

“No pain, no gain!” I remember as a young athlete seeing this saying for the first time. It was posted in the tiny weight room of my high school to remind us that without hard work, future success is in doubt. The same rings true today, regardless of the situation. […]

Pecans Propel King Hill Farms Profits

Not many cities can lay claim to the largest pecan in the world. This unique tourist attraction isn’t the only hidden gem in Brunswick, Mo., the state-proclaimed “Pecan Capital of Missouri.” Nestled in the hills bordering the rich soils of the Missouri River bottoms along Highway 24 is King Hill […]