Ralls County
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Access the services and resources of the University of Missouri close to home.
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We can help improve your life. Ralls County University of Missouri Extension |
Services offered by University of Missouri Extension in Ralls County
The Ralls County Extension Office is a part of the
University of Missouri system and as such can offer many services to
citizens. We are committed to helping Ralls County citizens improve their
quality of life. Below is a list of services that are available
through our office and the fees involved:
Soil Tests:
At $11.50 per sample for four or less and $10.00 per sample for five or
more, soil tests are available for lawns, gardens, and fields. You will
receive a copy with the results and recommendations, normally within 2
weeks.
Hay Tests:
Prices vary from $15.00 to $35.00 depending on the test you request. A
core sampler (to get a sample from the bale) and sample bags are available
at our office.
Feed Tests:
Prices are $10.00 to $25.00 per sample depending upon the test you
request. We can test grain, by-product feeds (corn gluten, soybean hulls,
etc.), and mixed rations for nutritional value.
Pressure Canner Gauge Testing:
Cost is $1.00 per gauge. We can test your gauge on your pressure
canner to be sure it is calibrated correctly. We need the whole lid to
perform this test and it will take around a half hour to do.
Pesticide License Certification:
No charge. In order to purchase and spray some chemicals, you must
have a private applicator license. You must sit through a 2 to 3 hour
training (on a VCR tape or CD-ROM) and fill out some forms.
Pesticide License Re-certification:
No charge. The above licenses are good for 5 years (currently).
Every 5 years you must view a videotape to renew this license and sign a
renewal form. These 2 licenses are for individuals only.
Insect Identification:
There is $15 cost if we send a sample to the diagnostic lab in Columbia.
If we can identify the insect locally, there is no charge.
Plant Identification:
Cost is $0.00 to $15.00. We can assist you in identifying a plant
that you want to know the name of or a plant disease and how (or if) to
treat that problem. We will need as much of the plant as possible (roots
if possible) and will need some information such as how long the disease
has been happening, location of the plant, etc.
Plant Nematode Tests:
Cost is $10.00 to $25.00. Nematodes are very damaging to soybeans,
some vegetable and fruit crops, and other plants. Samples need to taken
and handled in very certain ways. Contact our office for help.
Veterinary Lab Services:
These can vary. The University of Missouri's Veterinary Lab provides
many services for livestock producers. Animals can be sent or taken to the
lab when sick or after death to determine what's wrong. You should contact
your local vet first.
The Ralls County Extension Office also has access to other labs that can
test for water, seed germination, and chemical residues.
Soil Testing and Plant Diagnostic Services
Crop producers, commercial horticultural growers and home gardeners can
receive diagnoses for plant diseases or pest infestations, and have soil
analyzed. Soil testing provides analysis of
pH,
phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, organic matter percent, neutralizable
acidity, cation exchange capacity and effective neutralizing material (EMN).
Customers will receive recommendations for
nitrogen,
phosphorus,
potassium
and liming
(or acidifying). Tests for nitrate, boron, zinc, sulfur, iron, manganese and
copper also are available at additional cost. For information on sampling
methods, see
G9215 Soil Sampling Pastures and
G9217 Soil Sampling Hayfields and Row Crops.
For information on test results, see G9112, "Interpreting Missouri Soil Test Reports". Regional specialists also can assist you with additional information and recommendations. Contact us for more information.
- Plant Diagnostic Clinic The MU Plant Diagnostic Clinic identifies insects, diseases and weeds, and provides management solutions for these problems.
- Plant Nematology Laboratory This laboratory examines soil and plant samples qualitatively and quantitatively for the presence of plant parasitic nematodes. Recommendations are provided for management strategies to reduce the effect of nematodes on plant growth and yield.
- Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory The MU Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory provides fertilizer recommendations based on soil or plant analysis to farmers, home owners, vegetable and fruit growers, golf course superintendents, and lawn and landscape specialists.
Family Nutrition Education Program
The Family
Nutrition Education Program helps
limited-resource families and individuals improve
their health and fitness. Education focuses on
teaching healthier eating habits, understanding of
food safety and better management of food dollars.
FNEP is available to individuals, groups and
school at no cost. Contact us for more information
on FNEP.
Center for Distance and Independent Study
Pick up your copy of the University of
Missouri Center for Distance and Independent Study
catalog. The center offers university-level credit
and non-credit courses. Check out MU High School,
a fully-accredited program, offering individual
courses or a complete curriculum, as well as
core-subject curriculums for grades 3-8. CDIS
course tests may be taken at the extension center;
contact us for more information.
MU Direct: Continuing and Distance Education
MU Direct:
Continuing and Distance Education offers
online degrees in education, journalism and
several health-care fields, including nursing,
management, informatics and respiratory therapy.
These are available to students across Missouri
and beyond. Mid-Missourians can pursue a bachelor
of general studies or master of public
administration by attending MU In The Evening
classes.
Canner Gauge Tests
Bring your dial-type pressure canner
lid to extension center for testing and
examination. Dial-type gauges should be tested
annually to ensure accuracy and prevent bacterial
contamination of preserved foods. (Testing is not
necessary for weighted gauges.) Testing is offered
for a nominal fee.
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University of Missouri Extension Ralls County rallsco@missouri.edu Site maintained by James E. Meyer MeyerJE@.missouri.edu Updated 05/24/04 |
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