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• Wait for fall to reseed cool-season grass
  Wednesday, May 22, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – If you’re thinking of reseeding your lawn now that warm weather has arrived, think again.
  
  Media available: audio
• MU hosts international elderberry symposium, June 9-14
  Tuesday, May 21, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – More than 120 international horticulturists, botanists, biochemists, food scientists, economists and farmers will attend the First International Symposium on Elderberry, June 9-14 at Stoney Creek Inn in Columbia.
  
  Media available: photos
• State licensing rules relaxed for some egg sellers
  Tuesday, May 21, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Agriculture has relaxed licensing requirements for those who sell eggs at farmers markets and roadside stands.
• Thousand cankers disease threatens Missouri walnut trees
  Monday, May 20, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri’s black walnut trees could be in trouble if thousand cankers disease (TCD) moves in from bordering Tennessee.
  
  Media available: photos
• Serve your kids a healthy helping of money talk
  Monday, May 20, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – What’s for dinner?
• Severe-weather resources from MU Extension
  Monday, May 20, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension has an extensive collection of resources and links to help individuals, families and communities prepare for and recover from weather-related emergencies and other disasters:
• MU website tracks risk of nitrogen loss
  Friday, May 17, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– Grain producers can track rainfall and risk of nitrogen loss during spring on a website from a University of Missouri plant scientist.
• Horse owners should watch for eastern tent caterpillar
  Friday, May 17, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Owners of horses, mules and donkeys should keep their animals away from trees favored by eastern tent caterpillars, say University of Missouri Extension specialists.
  
  Media available: photo
• Wet spring puts plants at risk if hot, dry weather arrives
  Friday, May 17, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – The excessive spring rains could put plants at risk when Missouri weather turns dry and hot.
• Stick with normal hybrid corn maturities for now
  Thursday, May 16, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Corn growers should stick with their normal hybrid maturities rather than switch to earlier-season maturities through the end of May, says a University of Missouri Extension corn specialist.
• To raise quality, make hay before seeds set
  Thursday, May 16, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – “Don’t delay making hay,” says Rob Kallenbach, University of Missouri Extension.
• April and May set weather records
  Thursday, May 16, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Lots of rain, low temperatures and even snow set weather records in April and May in Missouri.
  
  Media available: audio; photo
• Walk while you work
  Thursday, May 16, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– Walk while you work. Work while you walk.
  
  Media available: photos; video
• Topsoil lost to rainfall costs farmers money
  Tuesday, May 14, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – As rainfall increases, the amount of topsoil decreases. So does the amount of grain the land can produce.
  
  Media available: photo
• MU bobwhite quail/native pollinator field day set for June 20
  Monday, May 13, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.–The University of Missouri’s Bradford Research Center will host a bobwhite quail and native pollinator field day Thursday, June 20, 1-7 p.m.
• Beginning gardening
  Monday, May 13, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – It could be the memory of shelling peas with your grandmother or a desire for fragrant flowers. It could be as simple as wanting to shave a bit off your food bill. Whatever the reason, you’ve decided to plant your first-ever garden. Now what do you do?
  
  Media available: audio; photo
• Slow-growing pastures need more warmth, not added fertility, says MU forage specialist
  Friday, May 10, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – After a long, slow start, pasture grass just needs more time and warm weather.
• ASPCA provides $50,000 grant for MU Extension animal cruelty investigation program
  Wednesday, May 8, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– A $50,000 grant from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will provide scholarship opportunities for students studying animal cruelty investigation at the University of Missouri Extension Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI).
• Registrations due May 17 for 4-H Public Speaking Academy
  Tuesday, May 7, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Registrations are due May 17 for the third annual 4-H Public Speaking Academy, June 18-19 at Central Methodist University in Fayette.
• MU agronomist: Plant now, add nitrogen later
  Tuesday, May 7, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – The wettest first quarter of the year since 2008 has delayed nitrogen fertilizer applications and corn planting.
  
  Media available: photos
• Heifers average $1,822 at Fruitland Show-Me-Select sale
  Tuesday, May 7, 2013
  FRUITLAND, Mo. – Fall-calving Show-Me-Select bred replacement heifers averaged $1,822 at the Fruitland (Mo.) Livestock Auction, Saturday, May 4.
• Fungal disease wipes out alfalfa weevils in central Missouri, MU entomologist says
  Friday, May 3, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Alfalfa weevil, a major pest of a prime hay crop, died out across central Missouri this spring. Credit the weather, says a University of Missouri Extension entomologist.
  
  Media available: photo
• Spring comes late to the dance
  Friday, May 3, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Talk about being all dressed up with nowhere to go. Too many Missouri gardeners are watching spring days slip away because of cool, wet weather, which has delayed the gardening season well past the frost-free date.
  
  Media available: audio; photo
• Cold, snow at start of May could injure corn seeds
  Thursday, May 2, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. –Plummeting temperatures in Missouri could mean poor stands of corn and seed damage.
• 4-H members aim high in archery competition
  Thursday, May 2, 2013
  PALMYRA, Mo. –She’s ranked first in the state and the nation and fourth in the world in her age group for archery.
  
  Media available: photo; video
• Cows' looks alone can fool beef herd owners
  Wednesday, May 1, 2013
  RUSSELLVILLE, Mo. – Better genetics puts high-quality beef on the consumer’s plate. Also, better genetics brings more profits back to the producer’s pocketbook.
• 46 boats competed for cardboard glory to benefit food bank
  Tuesday, April 30, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – The swan raced neck-and-neck with the Gumdrop Express, the yellow duck with its giant head steadily guided her ducklings to shore, while the Crawdaddy clawed its way to the finish line.
  
  Media available: photo; video
• Clay soil: A mixed blessing, but easily corrected
  Monday, April 29, 2013
  KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – You dig your first spadeful of soil in your new garden and discover you have a shovel full of clay.
  
  Media available: audio; photo
• MU Thompson Farm lets bid on river-bottom crop ground
  Monday, April 29, 2013
  SPICKARD, Mo. – River-bottom cropland on the University of Missouri Thompson Farm has been leased for three years for $378.30 per acre, the highest of 11 sealed bids, says Jon Schreffler, farm manager.
• MU Extension program director honored with justice award
  Monday, April 29, 2013
  ST. LOUIS, Mo.– Nina Balsam, St. Louis County program director for University of Missouri Extension, received the Citizenship Award April 25 at Missouri Lawyers Weekly’s 15th annual Women’s Justice Awards ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown St. Louis.
  
  Media available: photo
• Drenching rains, low temps dampen corn planting
  Friday, April 26, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – It’s too early to call it too late to plant corn, says a University of Missouri cereal crops specialist.
  
  Media available: photo
• Pasture growth needs warm sunshine, good management, MU specialist says
  Friday, April 26, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Cool spring weather delays grass growth this year, forcing cow herd owners to feed hay long past winter.
• 'Flag the Technology' aids herbicide application
  Friday, April 26, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – There is a simple, inexpensive way to reduce errors in herbicide applications and limit off-target chemical drift, says a University of Missouri Extension weed management specialist.
  
  Media available: photo
• MU Thompson Farm board hears updates on beef AI studies, pastures, field day plans
  Thursday, April 25, 2013
  SPICKARD, Mo.—New research at the MU Thompson Farm beef herd in Grundy County was discussed by the advisory board, Tuesday, April 23.
• 4-H members fight hunger with Invest an Acre
  Thursday, April 25, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– 4-H members are seeking donations from Missouri farmers for the Invest an Acre program as part of a 4-H Revolution of Responsibility campaign to find solutions to hunger through community service.
• 3 keys to emergency preparedness
  Thursday, April 25, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– While security experts and law enforcement personnel are determined to make sure events like the Boston Marathon bombing never happen again, emergency preparedness and personal safety begin with the individual, says a University of Missouri Extension emergency management specialist.
• Flood-related resources from MU Extension
  Wednesday, April 24, 2013
  University of Missouri Extension has an extensive collection of resources and links to help individuals, families and communities prepare for and recover from floods and other disasters. Go to www.extension.missouri.edu/flood.
• Planting corn in wet soil can damage root system
  Thursday, April 18, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri corn growers chomping at the bit to plant should practice patience to prevent harm to their plants’ root systems.
  
  Media available: photo
• Farmland values: Boom or bubble?
  Wednesday, April 17, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.–Low interest rates and record income per acre have driven farmland values much higher over the last decade. The increase has led to concerns of a repeat of the farm crisis of the 1980s.
  
  Media available: video
• Watch for farm equipment on roads during planting season
  Wednesday, April 17, 2013
  SHELBINA, Mo. – It was like any other day in the 40-plus years that Kent Blades had been farming.  A lifelong Monroe County farmer, Blades was driving from one part of the farm to another when a semi-truck passed him and struck his John Deere open-station 5520 tractor as he was making a left turn.
  
  Media available: photos; video
• Farming? There’s an app for that
  Tuesday, April 16, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– Smartphone apps aren’t just for social networking or entertainment. A growing number of apps make use of smartphone technology to help farmers do their job.
  
  Media available: photo
• MU Extension market outlook sees downward price trend for crops
  Tuesday, April 16, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.–With good weather in 2013 crop production could increase, pushing prices down.
• Lower break-even for cattle and hog producers
  Tuesday, April 16, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.–Cattle prices have been at record highs the last few years. The reason is less meat on the market.
• MU outlook for dairy is bullish
  Tuesday, April 16, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– Despite neutral supply and demand in dairy markets, the outlook is bullish, said an economist at the University of Missouri Extension Spring Ag Marketing Outlook Conference.
• Parts of Missouri still facing drought
  Monday, April 15, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. –While much of Missouri was drought-free at the end of March, other parts are still in moderate to severe hydrological drought, said Pat Guinan, climatologist for the University of Missouri Extension Commercial Agriculture Program.
  
  Media available: audio; photo
• Wolfe urges legislators to invest in the university during annual Legislative Day
  Friday, April 12, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – “It’s a crucial time to invest in the University of Missouri,” said UM President Tim Wolfe as he addressed approximately 400 people during the 39th annual University of Missouri Alumni Alliance Legislative Day on April 3 at the State Capitol in Jefferson City. Wolfe said that there is an “indelible link between our university and Missouri’s economy.”
• Jewel Coffman appointed interim director of MU Conference Office
  Thursday, April 11, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.–Jewel Coffman is the new interim director of the University of Missouri Conference Office. She was appointed by Michael Ouart, assistant vice provost and director, MU Extension.
  
  Media available: photo
• Cool soils delay early corn planting
  Wednesday, April 10, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– Missouri farmers itching to plant corn find that soil temperatures are well below the 13-year average, according to University of Missouri Extension specialists.
  
  Media available: photos
• 2 Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer sales set
  Wednesday, April 10, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– Fall-calving Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifers will be auctioned in two southern Missouri sales next month.
• Top 10 tips for long-living trees
  Tuesday, April 9, 2013
  NEVADA, Mo. —Trees, like people, have a life span. They live, they flourish, they die. University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist Pat Miller offers her Top 10 practices for prolonging the life of your tree.
• Tornado Alley shifts eastward this storm season
  Monday, April 8, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. - Tornado Alley will probably see slightly fewer tornadoes this storm season, while areas to its east will see a more than average number of tornadoes, says a climate expert at the University of Missouri.
  
  Media available: photos; video
• Mark your calendars for MU field days
  Monday, April 8, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– Whether you’re a seasoned farmer or this spring is your first in the field, the University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) field days will offer ample opportunities to learn about techniques, tools and technology that you can employ on your farm.
  
  Media available: photos
• Start your engines: Mowing season begins
  Wednesday, April 3, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Winter is finally releasing its grip, so lawns will be greening up and growing. It will soon be time for one of the most basic homeowner rituals: mowing the lawn.
  
  Media available: audio; photos; video
• In-between crops
  Tuesday, April 2, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. — They have intriguing names such as hairy vetch, pearl millet and birdsfoot trefoil. Collectively known as cover crops or green manure, they've been used for years to increase soil productivity by fixing atmospheric nitrogen into soil, making it available for cash crops such as corn and saving farmers money on input costs.
  
  Media available: photos
• Get ready for cool-season vegetables
  Tuesday, April 2, 2013
  KIRKSVILLE, Mo. Cool-season vegetables let the well-organized gardener enjoy harvest bounty in the spring and again in the fall.
  
  Media available: audio; photos
• Beef improvement meeting in Oklahoma has tips for Missouri cow herd owners, says MU specialist
  Friday, March 29, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.–Missouri producers interested in quality beef can attend a nearby national meeting. If they sign up by April 15, they get the early-bird rate, says a University of Missouri Extension geneticist.
• Getting ready to grow
  Friday, March 29, 2013
  KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – Winter is the time when Mother Nature slumbers. Spring is when plants, trees and gardens begin to wake up. So as the greenery rubs the sleep from its eyes and readies for the growing season, there are chores you need to do.
  
  Media available: audio; photo
• The battle to protect fruit from fungi, diseases and insects
  Friday, March 29, 2013
  KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – Growing fruit is a true labor of love because there are so many pests waiting to deny you the fruits of your labor. Fruit growers are in a constant battle against diseases, fungi and insects.
  
  Media available: audio; photos
• Jared Decker, geneticist, joins MU Extension to help cow herd owners breed quality beef
  Friday, March 29, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Owners of commercial beef herds baffled by all those numbers in bull catalogs should meet Jared Decker.
  
  Media available: photo
• Overcoming forage shortages in a drought
  Thursday, March 28, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.–During the drought of 2012, producers with disappearing forage were seeking options to feed livestock.
• First green grass of spring is not enough to supply nutrient needs of grazing cows
  Tuesday, March 26, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Turning cow herds out to graze pastures at the first sign of green grass harms forage growth later in the season. But there’s another big reason to wait, says a University of Missouri beef nutritionist.
• Alliance holds schools to detoxify Missouri’s K-31 fescue pastures
  Monday, March 25, 2013
  LINNEUS, Mo. – Kentucky 31 tall fescue covers the ground well and resists insects, drought and overgrazing. But this most widely used pasture grass in Missouri has a flaw. “Common fescue is toxic to livestock,” said Craig Roberts, University of Missouri Extension forage specialist.
• Free app from MU Extension helps you name that weed
  Friday, March 22, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension has a free app for iPhones, iPads and Android devices to help people easily identify weeds in the field, lawn or garden.
  
  Media available: photos; video
• Edamame: An easy crop to introduce to your vegetable garden
  Thursday, March 21, 2013
  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Once available to U.S. consumers mainly in Japanese restaurants, edamame is showing up at farmers markets, salad bars and grocery store freezer aisles. If you enjoy the sweet, nutty flavor of these nutrient-rich green soybeans, edamame might even find a place in your garden, said a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist.
  
  Media available: photos
• Missouri farmers asked to participate in hearing study
  Wednesday, March 20, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Michigan is seeking input from Missouri agriculture workers for a study on hearing.
• Snow can present challenges for livestock
  Wednesday, March 20, 2013
  NEW LONDON, Mo.– Spring is here, but parts of Missouri still aren’t through with winter weather.
• Women over 50 most at risk of heart disease
  Wednesday, March 20, 2013
  HARRISONVILLE, Mo. – While we’ve all seen the image of a gray-haired, overweight man clenching his heart and gasping for breath, just as many women as men have heart attacks, notes a University of Missouri Extension nutrition specialist.
• Cattle theft on the rise in southwestern Missouri
  Wednesday, March 20, 2013
  GREENFIELD, Mo.– Cattle rustling often brings to mind images of outlaws on horseback running off livestock in the Old West, but cattle theft is still a problem in the 21st century.
  
  Media available: photos; video
• Planting wonderful sweet peas
  Tuesday, March 19, 2013
  MARBLE HILL, Mo. – Most people don’t think about planting flowers until May, but don't wait until then if you want to grow sweet peas, notes a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist.
• Robthom Farm honored with 4-H Foundation award
  Tuesday, March 19, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Robthom Farm of Springfield received the 2013 Missouri 4-H Foundation Naomi Crouch Leadership Award on March 15 in Columbia. Robthom Farm was recognized for commitment to the University of Missouri Extension 4-H youth development program.
  
  Media available: photo
• Deanise Barker honored with 4-H Foundation award
  Tuesday, March 19, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Deanise Barker of Poplar Bluff was named a 2013 Missouri 4-H Foundation Naomi Crouch Leadership Awardee on March 15 in Columbia. Deanise was recognized for her commitment to the University of Missouri Extension 4-H youth development program.
• Dennis McMillen and Center Locker honored with 4-H Foundation award
  Tuesday, March 19, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Dennis McMillen of Center, Mo., was named a 2013 Missouri 4-H Foundation Naomi Crouch Leadership Awardee on March 15 in Columbia. McMillen was recognized for his commitment to the University of Missouri Extension 4-H youth development program.
• Interstate cattle movement affected by new USDA rule
  Tuesday, March 19, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.–A new USDA animal disease traceability rule requires that livestock animals be officially identified before they are moved across state lines.
• MU weather stations provide real-time data across the state
  Tuesday, March 19, 2013
  MONROE CITY, Mo. –Monroe City boasts the newest of the state’s automated real-time weather stations operated by University of Missouri Extension’s Commercial Agriculture Program, said Pat Guinan, MU Extension assistant professor of climatology.
  
  Media available: photo
• What are your 'coffee stains'?
  Monday, March 18, 2013
  MEXICO, Mo. – “Customer service is the best way to distinguish yourself from your competitors,” says University of Missouri Extension professional and business development specialist Virgil Woolridge.
• Drought damage: Which trees will survive?
  Monday, March 18, 2013
  GALLATIN, Mo. – Last year’s drought left many of Missouri’s trees and shrubs in trouble. As spring arrives, we’ll learn what survived and what did not.
  
  Media available: photos
• Caring for snow-damaged trees
  Monday, March 18, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – It’s difficult to see a tree that you’ve nurtured for years broken and battered. Trees damaged by recent snowstorms may require some heartbreaking decisions.
• The beginning of 2013 brings drought relief to Missouri
  Monday, March 18, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Last year’s high temperatures and long-term drought conditions left Missouri with a major soil-moisture and surface-water deficit. But as the adage goes, “Don’t like Missouri weather, just wait and it will change.”
  
  Media available: photo
• New varieties can add spark to flower beds
  Friday, March 15, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. –Petunias and calibrachoas are colorful garden favorites, but they have a reputation for not tolerating heat very well. However, recent years have seen the development of new varieties that are better equipped to withstand summer in the Show-Me State.
  
  Media available: photo
• Using cold frames and hotbeds for a longer growing season
  Friday, March 15, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – February played a dirty trick when winter storms dumped a lot of snow on the ground. Green-thumb enthusiasts hoping for an early start on their gardens had to wait for a thaw. But there are ways to help hasten the arrival of the gardening season even when the weather isn’t cooperating.
  
  Media available: photo
• Planting, growing and harvesting onions
  Friday, March 15, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Although onions may make you weep, the world would be a sadder place without the flavor and aroma they bring to our meals.
  
  Media available: photos
• Anger management: Don’t let the cork blow
  Thursday, March 14, 2013
  SHELBYVILLE, Mo. – If you’re angry, don’t keep it bottled up or your cork might blow, says University of Missouri Extension family financial education specialist Wendy Brumbaugh.
• Poison or candy? Kids might mistake toxic items for look-alike treats
  Wednesday, March 13, 2013
  RICHMOND, Mo. – Parents often trick sick children into taking their medicine by disguising it as candy.
  
  Media available: photo
• Raising calving-ease heifers takes more than genetics
  Wednesday, March 13, 2013
  TRENTON, Mo. –Breeding beef heifers for quality takes more than better genetics. It requires attention to details.
• MU study shows economic impact of Missouri's dairy industry
  Wednesday, March 13, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– Missouri’s dairy product manufacturing and production industry revenues translated into annual statewide economic output worth $7.7 billion, contributing more than $2 billion to the state’s gross domestic product, and directly and indirectly supporting more than 23,000 jobs, according to a study by the University of Missouri Extension Commercial Agriculture (CA) Program.
• Winter weather and plant injury
  Tuesday, March 12, 2013
  KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – Road salt comes in handy when streets, sidewalks and driveways are slippery with ice. It’s not so handy when it splashes onto plants or soaks into the soil.
  
  Media available: photo
• Helping your soil be all it can be
  Tuesday, March 12, 2013
  KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – The earth beneath your feet may seem ordinary and benign. It’s anything but. Good soil can mean the difference between a garden that thrives and one that struggles and dies. Plants depend on soil for water, nutrients, minerals and even physical support.
  
  Media available: photos
• Organically grown alfalfa offers opportunities
  Tuesday, March 12, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– The growth of the organic livestock-production industry has generated interest in raising organic alfalfa, says a University of Missouri Extension forage specialist.
• MU economic report: U.S. meat producers need big grain crop to lower feed costs, boost profits in 2013
  Friday, March 8, 2013
  WASHINGTON – The pounds of meat produced in the United States will drop in 2013 for the second time in five years. That includes beef, pork, chicken and turkey, according to a report given to Congress today.
• MU FAPRI baseline report goes to U.S. Congress
  Friday, March 8, 2013
  WASHINGTON – If average weather returns, look for a record 2013 corn crop—and for corn prices to drop $2 per bushel, says a University of Missouri economist.
• Get a jump on spring gardening
  Wednesday, March 6, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Gardeners willing to put in a bit of effort can jump-start this year’s vegetable or flower garden by starting seeds indoors.
  
  Media available: photo; video
• Germination 101
  Friday, March 1, 2013
  Cut open a seed and you’ll see a miracle. A tiny, embryonic plant waits inside, ready to break free of its seed coat, grow roots and push up through the soil.
  
  Media available: photo
• Tips for a healthy lawn
  Friday, March 1, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– Homeowners looking forward to a lush, green lawn this spring and summer should take care not to overdo it, says a University of Missouri Extension turfgrass specialist.
  
  Media available: photo; video
• Soil tests take the guesswork out of fertilizing your lawn and garden
  Friday, March 1, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– Many garden and home-improvement stores offer a seemingly endless selection of fertilizers. What’s the best choice for your lawn or garden? Only your soil knows for sure.
  
  Media available: photo
• Container gardening: Thrillers, fillers and spillers
  Friday, March 1, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– If you’re yearning to grow flowers or vegetables but are short on space or have limited mobility, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein suggests giving container gardening a try.
  
  Media available: photo
• Practice good garden hygiene by sanitizing tools
  Friday, March 1, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– Just like surgeons and dentists, gardeners should work with clean tools. Sanitizing garden tools between uses will lower the risk of spreading diseases from one plant to another, says a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist.
  
  Media available: photo
• Hostas: Emperors of the Shade
  Friday, March 1, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. —Few plants adds more interest to shady areas than hostas. Native to the Orient, where they were discovered as early as the eighth century, hostas are low-maintenance, winter-hardy perennials that can grow in the shade. Their leaves come in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors and variegation, according to University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist David Trinklein.
  
  Media available: photo
• Pansy: A flower to welcome spring
  Friday, March 1, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.–There is no more popular cool-season flower than the delicately fragranced pansy.
  
  Media available: photos
• Practice patience when preparing garden soil
  Friday, March 1, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– Spring is almost here, but gardeners shouldn’t be too quick to start working the soil, says a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist.
  
  Media available: photo
• Dairy margin proposal would cut spending in a 2013 farm bill, MU economist reports
  Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013
  WASHINGTON – Dairy producers will seek a new safety net when farm bill discussions restart in Congress, said a University of Missouri dairy economist at the recent USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum. Current proposals look more like insurance than price programs of the past.
• Location, timing critical for double-crop success
  Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.–Double-cropping soybeans after wheat provides the opportunity to harvest two crops in the same year from the same piece of land. But there are challenges and concerns with double-cropping, and a University of Missouri Extension agronomist says location is a big factor.
• SPCC can help environment and protect property values
  Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– May 10 is the final date for all farmers with on-farm petroleum storage exceeding 1,320 gallons to have a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure plan in place. A University of Missouri Extension water quality specialist says putting together a plan is fairly simple and can provide several benefits.
• Cover crops can provide many benefits
  Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– Having plant growth in fields year-round can improve the soil, according to Tim Reinbott, superintendent of the University of Missouri Bradford Research Center. He says using cover crops in the fall and spring can provide large benefits.
• Meat, dairy producers gain global sales as rising middle class gains higher pay
  Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013
  KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Livestock and dairy producers can’t afford to ignore what goes on in the rest of the world, says Scott Brown, University of Missouri livestock and dairy economist.
• Budget issues continue to delay farm policy
  Monday, Feb. 18, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.–There is a lot of uncertainty about farm policy in Washington, and current budget debates will determine whether there will be a farm bill and what it will look like, said Pat Westhoff, director of the University of Missouri Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute.
• MU Extension appoints business development program director
  Friday, Feb. 15, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension and the MU College of Engineering have named a new business development program director effective April 8. As the Program Director and Assistant Dean for the College of Engineering, Steven L. Devlin comes to MU Extension after serving Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Center for Industrial Research and Service for 13 years.
• Timing is key for nitrogen application on winter wheat
  Friday, Feb. 15, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– With winter wheat coming closer to green-up, producers need to consider fertilizer management options. A University of Missouri Extension nutrient management specialist says proper timing of fertilizer application is important.
• Don't let emotions of divorce cause financial issues
  Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013
  FULTON, Mo.– Divorce is an emotional process, but divorcing couples need to let go of emotions when talking about division of property, says University of Missouri Extension family financial specialist Vivian Mason.
• Divorcing parents need long-range financial planning
  Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013
  FULTON, Mo.– Some of the most difficult decisions divorcing parents will ever make involve their children.
• A little knowledge can make a big difference in a divorce
  Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013
  FULTON, Mo.– A little knowledge and planning can make a big difference for divorcing couples, according to University of Missouri Extension family financial specialist Vivian Mason.
• Test your divorce knowledge
  Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013
  FULTON, Mo.– University of Missouri Extension family financial specialist Vivian Mason says divorcing spouses can make better decisions for their individual futures if they have reasonable expectations of the divorce process.
• African violets help chase away winter blues
  Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – If you’ve got the winter blues and blahs, there’s a quick, inexpensive cure.
  
  Media available: photo
• MU Extension fruit care workshop series begins March 1
  Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– The University of Missouri Extension Center in Boone County is hosting a series of workshops on raising and caring for fruit. The two-hour workshops will be held March 1, March 15 and April 5 in Columbia. The fee is $25 per class. Participants can attend one, two or all three.
• Committee searching for nutrient reduction strategies
  Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– Nutrient loads can cause problems with water quality. That’s why the Missouri Nutrient Reduction Strategy Committee is working to decrease the amount of nutrients that end up in the Mississippi River.
• Considerations when starting a poultry flock
  Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.–When starting a poultry enterprise, whether a small backyard flock or a large commercial operation, there are several factors to consider, says a University of Missouri Extension poultry specialist.
• High tunnel construction tips
  Friday, Feb. 8, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Producers should take care to choose an appropriate site for a high tunnel, according to University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist David Trinklein. He spoke to agriculture educators recently at MU’s Bradford Research and Extension Center.
• Ventilation important in high tunnels
  Friday, Feb. 8, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension regional horticulture specialist James Quinn talked about side ventilation in high tunnels at a recent workshop at MU’s Bradford Research and Extension Center.
• Tomatoes top choice for high tunnels
  Friday, Feb. 8, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. - University of Missouri Extension regional horticulture specialist James Quinn said tomatoes are a good choice for gardeners using a high tunnel for the first time. Quinn spoke about high tunnels at a recent workshop at MU’s Bradford Research and Extension Center.
• Many vegetables grow well in high tunnels
  Friday, Feb. 8, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. While tomatoes are the most popular choice for high tunnel production, many other vegetables, fruits and flowers flourish in the controlled environment of high tunnels, said University of Missouri Extension regional horticulture specialist James Quinn.
• High tunnels increase freshness and cash to producers
  Friday, Feb. 8, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – “We are in a food production revolution,” University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist David Trinklein told agriculture educators recently at MU’s Bradford Research and Extension Center.
  
  Media available: photos
• Six feet under, the drought lives on
  Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– Even if the Midwest gets normal rain and snow, it will take almost two years for soil moisture deep in the earth to recharge and sustain normal crop growth, said a University of Missouri soil scientist.
  
  Media available: video
• No decline in 2012 dairy cow numbers, despite Missouri’s drought, low profits
  Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Facing drought-reduced feed and low profits, Missouri dairy producers maintained their milk cow numbers in 2012, according to a USDA cattle inventory.
• MU Extension outlines administrative structure changes
  Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – As part of an ongoing initiative to fulfill its mission, University of Missouri Extension has adopted a new administrative structure to support long-term and short-term objectives. Vice Provost and Director of MU Extension Michael Ouart has made appointments with existing staff to implement the new structure, which takes effect immediately.
  
  Media available: video
• Show-Me-Select heifer plan explained at meeting in Milan for beef producers
  Monday, Feb. 4, 2013
  MILAN, Mo. – Missouri beef replacement heifers are wanted by out-of-state herd owners. That demand will grow, Dave Patterson, University of Missouri Extension beef specialist, told area producers.
• Which oils and fats are healthy and why?
  Friday, Feb. 1, 2013
  BETHANY, Mo. – Judging from all the fat-free and low-fat foods available, you might consider fat a dietary evil. However, the body needs a certain amount of fatty acids to function properly. Choosing the right type of dietary fat can mean the difference between health and disease.
  
  Media available: photo
• Lexington chosen for MU Extension Community Arts Pilot Project
  Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013
  LEXINGTON, Mo. – The historic community of Lexington will be the site of a University of Missouri Extension Community Arts Pilot Project designed to provide an economic boost through community development.
  
  Media available: photos; video
• Teenage artist helps lead community arts pilot project
  Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013
  LEXINGTON, Mo. – Seth Ritter’s studio is tucked away in a rehabbed 1850s-style grocery store building in historic Lexington. Bare light bulbs hang austerely from the ceiling, casting a dim light over a wooden workbench scrawled with an artist’s random sketches.
  
  Media available: photos; video
• Risk management skills determine survival, MU economist tells farmers at dairy expo
  Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013
  SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – To survive, dairy farmers must think risk management.
• Green stink bug emerging as primary pest
  Friday, Jan. 25, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – The green stink bug may emerge as a primary rather than secondary pest in the coming growing season, said Wayne Bailey, University of Missouri Extension entomologist.
  
  Media available: photos
• Despite extension, farm policy could see changes and cuts
  Friday, Jan. 25, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.–Although Congress extended the farm bill until Sept. 30, 2013, the director of the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri says several factors may cause Congress to revisit the legislation sooner rather than later.
• Feed costs, weather will drive dairy profits in 2013, says MU economist at dairy expo
  Friday, Jan. 25, 2013
  SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – For dairy farmers, feed costs will be the big driver on profits in 2013, says a University of Missouri dairy economist.
• Meat prices expected to rise due to high feed costs, lower herd numbers
  Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– Cattle prices are expected to set new records in 2013 while hog prices are expected to have their second highest year ever. High feed costs have led to lower numbers of animals, which University of Missouri Extension agricultural economist Ron Plain says is why meat prices will be going up.
• Legislation removes some uncertainty on estate taxes
  Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– The recent “fiscal cliff” legislation provides small businesses and farms some much-needed relief from uncertainty about estate taxes, says a University of Missouri Extension agricultural economist.
• Alfalfa in forage system extends feed in drought
  Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Another drought year ahead or not, adding more forages to the grazing mix helps during the annual summer slump, says a University of Missouri Extension forage specialist.
• Atrazine has a huge impact on Missouri economy
  Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.–Atrazine, presently used on more than 85 percent of the corn acres in Missouri, is considered one of the most effective and least costly herbicides in use. University of Missouri Extension is helping farmers and communities manage atrazine runoff so the herbicide remains available.
• More corn and soybean acres expected in 2013
  Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.–We can expect more corn and soybeans acres planted in 2013, said a University of Missouri agriculture business specialist at the Jan. 17 Winter AgMarketing Outlook Conference.
• Dairy profitability will increase on higher prices and lower feed costs
  Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.–Missouri dairy farmers should see steady milk prices with increased profitability in the second half of 2013. That was the message a University of Missouri Extension dairy economist delivered at the Jan. 17 AgMarketing Outlook Conference.
• Japanese beetles on the rise in Missouri
  Friday, Jan. 18, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Japanese beetle populations in Missouri are likely to increase exponentially in the coming year, says an entomologist for University of Missouri Extension.
  
  Media available: photos
• New or expanding livestock operations need to assess water needs
  Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.–Producers who plan to start or expand a livestock operation need to think about water before moving forward.
• Online tool provides an interactive farm budgeting resource
  Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.–The Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri has developed an online tool to help farmers build projected budgets for their operations.
  
  Media available: photos; video
• Feeder calf prices can be good, but feed costs depend on rain
  Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013
  BUFFALO, Mo. – Record-high calf prices don’t necessarily mean record-high profits in the beef business.
• MU Extension regional directors appointed
  Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– University of Missouri Extension announced the appointment of five regional directors as part of its ongoing realignment. The new regional directors join two existing regional directors as MU Extension adopts a structure that includes six geographic regions and an urban region focused on the St. Louis and Kansas City metro areas.
  
  Media available: photos
• Proper combine settings reduce grain loss, improve grain quality
  Monday, Jan. 14, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– When adjusting the settings on a combine, there needs to be a balance between acceptable grain loss and acceptable grain quality.
• Emergency farm loans available after USDA disaster designations
  Friday, Jan. 11, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– Thirty-one Missouri counties are among almost 600 counties across the U.S. that have been designated by the USDA as primary natural disaster areas due to drought and heat. Farm operators in these counties are eligible for low-interest emergency loans from USDA.
  
  Media available: video
• Understanding system is key to uniform application of anhydrous ammonia
  Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– For uniform application of anhydrous ammonia, it’s important to understand the system you’re using, said an agricultural engineer at University of Missouri’s recent Crop Management Conference in Columbia.
• Waterhemp control requires change in mindset
  Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– In the war between waterhemp and producers, waterhemp is winning, says a University of Missouri Extension state weed scientist.
• Cropping system strategies to mitigate drought
  Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– Producers can take steps to reduce the impact of drought, should we face another shortage of rainfall in 2013, says a University of Missouri plant scientist.
• Variety is the key to fitness success
  Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. - If you resolved to get fit in 2013, you’ll need an exercise program with lots of variety, says a University of Missouri Extension exercise physiologist.
  
  Media available: photo
• Major factors for horticulture irrigation are water and time
  Friday, Jan. 4, 2013
  MARSHFIELD, Mo.– There are a number of things to consider when making decisions on irrigating horticulture crops, but the most important is determining water needs based on the mature crops, says Bob Schultheis, a University of Missouri Extension natural resource engineering specialist in Webster County.
• When do farmers need energy audits on their farms?
  Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.–In general, it’s a good idea for farmers to look at energy use on their farm every five years and consider opportunities to reduce energy consumption, says Don Day, energy extension associate for University of Missouri Extension.
• Deep roots help grass stay green in dry spell; grazing grass too short kills off root systems
  Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012
  COLUMBIA, Mo. -- In the prolonged summer drought, farmers noticed that grass stayed green longer in their hayfields than in their pastures.
• New fieldwork tool unveiled at crop conference
  Friday, Dec. 21, 2012
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – A downloadable spreadsheet helps farmers estimate the probability of completing fieldwork in time based on the capacity of their machinery and the number of acres farmed.
• New app helps you name that weed
  Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension has released a free app for iPhones, iPads and Android devices to help people easily identify weeds in the field, lawn or garden.
  
  Media available: photos; video
• Let's cook turkey
  Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012
  BUTLER, Mo. – The Thanksgiving turkey isn’t just a dish, it’s an event. Carving the holiday turkey before a table full of guests is an eagerly anticipated holiday tradition. Someone, however, has to prepare that large bird before the festivities can begin.
• Bring home the turkey
  Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012
  BUTLER, Mo. – Cooking a Thanksgiving dinner for a flock of relatives doesn’t have to be an exercise in stress and frustration. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned cook, a little planning can help make the turkey meal a big success.
• 'Kids in the Kitchen' combines food, friends and fun
  Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– Success breeds confidence and confidence breeds success. This philosophy is at the heart of University of Missouri Extension’s Kids in the Kitchen program.
  
  Media available: photos; video
• Award-winning MU Extension video shows kids how fresh food travels from the farm to the table
  Friday, Oct. 12, 2012
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – An animated talking tomato stars in an award-winning University of Missouri Extension video that follows the journey of fresh vegetables from the farm to dinner tables and school lunchrooms.
  
  Media available: photo; video
• Deliver plant nutrients throughout the season with organic matter
  Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012
  BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — Increasingly, gardeners are interested in finding out how to grow vegetables without using synthetic fertilizers.
  
  Media available: photo
• 'Tom Benton's Missouri' to be rereleased in HD
  Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012
  COLUMBIA, Mo.—The walls of the House Lounge in Missouri’s state capitol building in Jefferson City come to life with the vibrant, colorful paintings of Thomas Hart Benton. The mural and its creation are profiled in the documentary “Tom Benton’s Missouri,” which has been remastered in a high-definition format. The HD edition will premiere around the state this fall for the film’s 20th anniversary.
  
  Media available: photo; video
• MU Extension moves to new budgeting/staffing model
  Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012
  COLUMBIA, Mo. –University of Missouri Extension is realigning its regional administrative structure to focus on high-priority local programs, adjust to uncertain public funding, generate additional revenue, and be programmatically nimble to meet increasing demands for educational programs and services.
• Detecting and controlling red imported fire ants
  Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Drought-affected farmers forced to buy hay from out of state can take steps to avoid introducing red imported fire ants to their farms.
  
  Media available: photo
• Cattle heat-stress app at hand to help producers reduce weather-related livestock losses
  Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new tool to help cattle producers reduce heat-related losses soon will be as close as the nearest smartphone.
  
  Media available: photos; video
• Quality Beef by the Numbers may help producers rebuild herds devastated by 2012 drought
  Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – This year’s drought has taken its toll on the livestock industry, which has sold off thousands of animals because feed is too costly. A program at the University of Missouri may help these producers rebuild their herds with animals that produce more of the high-quality grades of beef that consumers are demanding.
  
  Media available: video
• Hundley Whaley Research Center Field Day Set for Aug. 29
  Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012
  ALBANY, Mo. – Fertility needs following a drought, safely stretching forage supplies and improving soils and boosting yields are a few of the topics farmers can learn about at Hundley Whaley Research Center’s annual Field Day Aug. 29, 2012.
  
  Media available: photos
• Expect 8 Percent Meat Price Increase in 2013 Due to Drought’s Impact on Livestock
  Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – The livestock industry is taking a direct hit by this summer’s drought, and that will impact consumers’ wallets next year, says a University of Missouri agricultural economist.
  
  Media available: video
• Forage nitrates hottest topic on beef tour at MU Greenley Research Center field day
  Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012
  NOVELTY, Mo. – Zac Erwin stood by a drought-stunted field of Sudangrass as he talked to wagon-loads of field day visitors at the MU Greenley Research Center, Aug. 7.
• Drought-damaged soybeans can make cattle feed; MU economist has calculator for hay:bean value
  Friday, Aug. 3, 2012
  COLUMBIA – Soybeans that won’t make a seed crop offer potential high-quality forage for beef and dairy producers. The decision to cut beans for hay won’t be easy, say University of Missouri Extension specialists.
• Lush green soybean field may not be good sign; MU specialist says nutrients are in leaf, not pod
  Friday, Aug. 3, 2012
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Farmers are reporting that in spite of prolonged drought and hot temperatures their soybean plants appear amazingly green for this time of year.
• Fall-calving cow herds must be watched; heat stress can cause premature calving
  Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012
  COLUMBIA, Mo – Some heat-stressed cows are delivering premature calves, ahead of normal fall-calving season.
• University of Missouri Extension 4-H summer camp encourages youth to develop their own small business
  Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012
  COLUMBIA — In a striped button-up shirt, black slacks and styled hair, Brandon Banks looks like a typical businessman ready for a day’s work in the office.
  
  Media available: photos
• Delta Research Center Field Day Features Innovations for Farming in a New Era
  Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012
  PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. – Building on more than 51 years of service to the agriculture industry, the University of Missouri T.E. “Jake” Fisher Delta Research Center will host its annual Field Day, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, Aug. 31.  
  
  Media available: photos
• Graves-Chapple Research Center to Host Field Day August 28
  Monday, July 30, 2012
  ROCK PORT, Mo. – From flooding last year to wide-spread drought this season, northwest Missouri producers have faced challenging seasons recently.
  
  Media available: photos
• Southwest Research Center Field Day Set for Sept. 14
  Friday, July 27, 2012
  MOUNT VERNON, Mo. – From dealing with drought to beekeeping, the Southwest Research Center Field Day will showcase a breadth of agricultural research and practice Friday, Sept. 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Southwest Research Center, located four miles west of Mt. Vernon Mo., is part of a network of University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources’ (CAFNR)  centers across Missouri conducting research benefiting agricultural producers and natural resource managers.
  
  Media available: photos
• Voluntary board service means more than attending meetings
  Monday, June 18, 2012
  BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — If you are ever asked to volunteer on an organization’s board, make sure you know what you’re getting into before saying yes,says a University of Missouri Extension community development specialist.
• Goppert Foundation endows Missouri 4-H scholarship
  Friday, June 8, 2012
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – A $50,000 endowment from the Goppert Foundation, Kansas City, Mo., will provide perpetual support for 4-H youths from 10 Missouri counties to attain higher education. Youths from Carroll, Cass, Clay, Clinton, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Pettis, Ray, and Saline counties will be eligible for college scholarships through the Missouri 4-H Foundation beginning in 2013.
• Serving up salad
  Friday, June 1, 2012
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – “Joel and the Garden Goddesses” had more than 37 ingredients to choose from and almost two hours to toss a salad together.
  
  Media available: photos
• Turning food waste into energy
  Thursday, May 10, 2012
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – America is not only a land of big waistlines, but also of big waste when it comes to food.
  
  Media available: photos; video
• From folklore to science: cultivating elderberry
  Friday, April 13, 2012
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – It’s been known for centuries as nature’s medicine chest, but modern scientists have mostly ignored the elderberry—until recently.
  
  Media available: photos
• The secret's in the soil
  Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – A healthy garden starts from the ground up.
• More efficient turkey feed makes producing Thanksgiving dinner cost less
  Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Americans eat 5.6 billion pounds of turkey each year, and all those Thanksgiving meals and other turkey dinners add up to a mountain of feed for fattening out those birds.
  
  Media available: photos; video
• MAESTRO program turns keen eye to energy usage on farms to trim costs
  Friday, Sept. 23, 2011
  MEXICO, Mo. – Kenny Roth used to leave the lights on in his shop all the time. The aging metal-halide lights took 20 minutes to get up and running, and time is money in farming.
  
  Media available: photo; video
• 4-H Youth Futures helps underserved students overcome obstacles to attend college
  Friday, Aug. 5, 2011
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Diamond Mack wants to be an engineer, and 4-H is helping her.
  
  Media available: video
• Japanese beetle scourge hits fields and lawns across Missouri
  Wednesday, July 13, 2011
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – If the leaves of your roses, shrubs or soybeans look like swiss cheese, the culprit could be Japanese beetles.
  
  Media available: photo; video
• Reducing flood damage to home and property
  Wednesday, June 29, 2011
  TRENTON, Mo.– University of Missouri Extension has prepared a checklist of measures people can take to reduce the impact of floodwater on their homes.
• A safe room of one's own
  Thursday, June 16, 2011
  JOPLIN, Mo. – Harold Noirfalise used to curse the big steel box in the garage of his Joplin home. It was there when he and his wife, Brenda, bought the house a couple years ago. The box shared space with a pickup, a car and a workshop where he built radio-controlled model airplanes, making for a crowded garage.
  
  Media available: photos; video
• Property loss from disasters may be tax deductible
  Monday, May 23, 2011
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Disaster victims may recoup some of their uninsured losses because uncompensated property losses from natural disasters are tax deductible, said a University of Missouri Extension consumer and family economics specialist.
  
  Media available: video
• Strength training not just for the young
  Tuesday, May 17, 2011
  BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.–Strength training isn’t just for young people, says a University of Missouri Extension human development specialist.
• Food safety: Don’t let unwanted guests spoil your summer fun
  Tuesday, May 10, 2011
  BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.–As temperatures rise, so does the risk for foodborne illness. So remember to treat your picnic basket, grill, and cooler as an extension of your kitchen, says a University of Missouri Extension nutrition specialist.
• Tenants need to be prudent about farm improvements
  Wednesday, May 4, 2011
  BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.–Does the farmland you rent need tiling, limestone, conservation structures or other long-term improvements? When landlords are reluctant to pay for an improvement, some tenants will pay for it themselves. A tenant who chooses to make a long-term improvement should be very cautious, warns a University of Missouri Extension agriculture business specialist.
• Plan to grow enough to preserve
  Tuesday, May 3, 2011
  BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Instead of tending to a garden that will only provide fruits and vegetables during the season, consider growing enough to preserve, suggests a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist.
  
  Media available: photo
• Use shock chlorination to disinfect contaminated wells
  Thursday, April 28, 2011
  BLOOMFIELD, Mo. – Heavy rains and rising rivers may flood wells. “Wells could be contaminated with bacteria, viruses or parasites that can make you ill,” said Van Ayers, an MU Extension agriculture and rural development specialist.
• Workshops aim to bring local foods to local schools
  Friday, Feb. 11, 2011
  KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – The local food movement is going back to school.
• MU Extension class works to curb diabetes through diet
  Friday, Dec. 17, 2010
  JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Holidays mean abundant sweets and treats, but for those with diabetes the temptation of cookies threatens more than their waistlines.
  
  Media available: video
• Beginning farmer workshops introduce many to basics of farming
  Monday, Aug. 16, 2010
  More and more urbanites are getting interested in the Earth.
  
  Media available: video
• Judge uses good eye and keen nose to sniff out Missouri’s best hams for more than 20 years
  Monday, Aug. 16, 2010
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Andrew Clarke has a good eye, and nose, for the perfect cured country ham.
• Graves-Chapple Field Day to highlight farming topics Aug. 24
  Friday, Aug. 13, 2010
  Rock Port, Mo. – As its field day approaches, researchers and specialists at the Graves-Chapple Farm are excited to address some of the most pressing ag issues that farmers in the area face.
• Managing tall fescue reduces endophyte risk, forage specialist tells FSRC field day visitors
  Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010
  LINNEUS, Mo. – Most beef producers never see the loss created by toxic tall fescue pastures.
• Distillers byproduct grain boosts bad-hay nutrients
  Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010
  LINNEUS & NOVELTY, Mo. – Byproduct feeds from ethanol plants offer beef herd owners a way to supplement bad hay being baled for winter feed this year.
• Skip April weaning for fall-calving beef herds, MU researcher told FSRC field day visitors
  Friday, Aug. 6, 2010
  LINNEUS, Mo. – The best way to wean calves from a fall-calving cow herd in April is to delay until July.
• Grocery co-op ends fresh food drought in inner city
  Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010
  ST. LOUIS – It used to require a car trip or a bus ride, but now shopping for fresh produce in the inner city only requires a short walk for Nadia Russell and her children.
  
  Media available: video