Free Online Tools Help Farmers Manage Costs, Forage Challenges

May 21, 2026

By Linda Geist

Frequent drought and rising input costs have livestock producers continuing to feel the pressure of finding feed for their herds. University of Missouri Extension specialists encourage farmers and ranchers to use free online tools to improve feed sourcing and budgeting decisions.

One such tool is Feedstuff Finder. The free, user-friendly web application connects forage producers with buyers while also helping livestock producers locate available feed products, says Ryan Milhollin, University of Missouri Extension assistant professor of agribusiness management.

The platform estimates delivery costs, helping producers compare the true cost of hay and feedstuffs delivered to their farm. Feedstuff Finder is available at no cost and is accessible to both buyers and sellers nationwide.

“Feedstuff Finder gives producers more transparency in the marketplace,” says Milhollin, “Whether you’re trying to sell hay or secure feed during tight conditions, current information on feedstuff opportunities by location can make a significant difference in your bottom line.”

Demand for tools like Feedstuff Finder is increasing as droughts continue to limit forage availability across many U.S. regions, forcing producers to rethink both sourcing and pricing strategies, he says.

Source : missouri.edu

Video: 2026 T.K. Cheung Lecture in Animal Science - Dan Weary

T.K. Cheung Lecture in Animal Science: "Using science to assess and improve the welfare of dairy cattle"

Dan Weary is a Professor at the University of British Columbia. Dan did his BSc and MSc at McGill and Doctorate at Oxford before co-founding UBC’s Animal Welfare Program where he now co-directs this active research group. His research focuses on understanding the perspectives of animals and applying these insights to develop methods of assessing animal welfare and improving the lives of animals. His work has helped drive changes in practices (including the adoption of higher milk rations for calves and pain management for disbudding) and housing methods (including the adoption of social housing for pre-weaned calves). He also studies cow comfort and lameness, social interactions among cows, and interactions between cows, human handlers and technologies like automated millking systems that are increasingly used on farms. His presentation will outline key questions in cattle welfare, highlight recent UBC research addressing them, and showcase innovative methods for improving the lives of cattle and their caretakers.