
Different distillers grains may change feed rations
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Ethanol plants are getting more efficient at extracting fuel from corn, and that can affect the quality of distillers grains, a byproduct of ethanol production often used as an economical feed alternative for hogs and poultry.“They are doing some further extraction to get more of the corn oil out of distillers grains,” says Marcia Shannon, University of Missouri Extension swine specialist. “So we’re getting a little bit…

MU Extension teaches kids that cooking matters
Kids learn healthy cooking and nutrition skills through hands-on lessons, building confidence and smart eating habits.

Mercury Communications, Inc.
The challenge Mercury Communications, Inc., a cellular tower manufacturer in Fenton, Mo., has been receiving assistance from the Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (TAAC) since June 2013 to improve training, marketing and advertising.

Major Custom Cable Inc.
Learn how Major Custom Cable used trade-adjustment funding to upgrade its systems, improve quality, and add over $1M in revenue.

McCormick Armstrong Co. Inc.
The challenge McCormick Armstrong Co. Inc., a Kansas manufacturer, offers a world of printing solutions from domestic commercial sheet-fed and web printing, digital printing, bindery, mailing and fulfillment to a vast array of international production solutions.

PWI, Inc.
Aviation-lighting firm expands markets, upgrades to ISO 13485, and grows sales with trade assistance support.

Express Scale Parts, Inc.
Learn how Express Scale Parts secured $75,000 in federal trade‐assistance funds, matched for $150,000, to upgrade operations and boost sales.

KC Tent & Awning Company
A Kansas City awning maker doubled revenue, expanded staff, and improved processes with trade-assistance support.

DTE, Inc. — Lebanon
Providers of custom automation, tooling and engineering services across industries, strengthened through strategic support to modernize operations.

HY-C Company, Inc. - St. Louis
Since 1947, a St. Louis hearth products maker grew from a garage operation into a city-block factory, evolving from aluminum chimney caps to steel accessories.

Custom Powder Systems — Springfield
Custom Powder Systems (CPS) designs, builds and automates the equipment used to dispense, size, mill and blend the powders used in the pharmaceutical, food and chemical industries. The company also provides cleaning systems that rid these machines of powder residue, preventing cross contamination, ensuring FDA safety regulations are met and protecting the machine operators.

Avoid identity theft during tax season
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Identity thieves thrive during tax filing season. Take steps to prevent those electronic criminals from lining their pockets with your refund and personal information, says University of Missouri Extension personal finance specialist Andrew Zumwalt. First, file taxes promptly. Identity thieves try to file early so your refund goes to them before you file.

File a tax return even if you don't have to
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension personal finance specialist Andrew Zumwalt offers three reasons why you should file a tax return even if it is not required.

Easy use of DNA data enhances cow herds growing quality beef
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Beef-cow herd owners will learn new ways to raise better calves at three University of Missouri meetings in March. The sessions lead producers from proven breeding to new uses of DNA.MU Extension animal scientists David Patterson and Jared Decker will lead the ReproGene Meetings.Management of fixed-time artificial insemination allows more live calves and more uniform calf crops.

Most of Missouri remains in drought
Severe dry conditions grip most of Missouri, threatening crops and stressing water supplies amid little rainfall relief in sight.

Missouri Dairy Profit Seminars set at 5 locations
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension, Missouri Dairy Association and Multimin USA will hold the 2018 Missouri Dairy Profit Seminar at five locations throughout the state Feb. 19-23, said MU Extension veterinarian Scott Poock.The event is free for dairy producers, but lunch reservations are required. A fee of $20 is required for non-dairy producers. This will be a good opportunity for producers to learn of several ways to…

Master Gardener training begins Feb. 26 in Hillsboro
HILLSBORO, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension in Jefferson County will hold Master Gardener classes Monday evenings at Jefferson College’s Hillsboro campus. Weekly classes will be 6:30-9:30 p.m., Feb. 26 to May 7, said MU Extension horticulturist Debi Kelly.

Alliance plans fescue schools to teach replacing toxic grass
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Ways to replace toxic tall fescue pastures keep improving as renovations move across the Fescue Belt from Missouri to Georgia. Five grazing schools in five states in March will clarify a complex system, says Craig Roberts, University of Missouri Extension forage specialist.

Choose your tax preparer wisely
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Exercise caution if you pay someone to do your taxes, says University of Missouri Extension personal finance specialist Andrew Zumwalt. Most tax return preparers are professional and honest, but not all, he says. Beware of preparers who offer high-cost services or arrange refund anticipation loans that reduce refunds. Refund anticipation loans are a costly way to borrow your own money for a few days.

Workshop helps beginning farmers, ranchers, military veterans
ST. PETERS, Mo. – Openings remain for free Feb. 13 and March 7 workshops to help beginning farmers and ranchers, including military veterans, learn about resources offered by state and federal agencies. University of Missouri Extension sponsors the workshops.

High tunnel workshop offered in St. Peters
ST. PETERS, Mo. – A high tunnel workshop will be held 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at the University of Missouri Extension Center in St. Charles County, 260 Brown Road, St. Peters.Norman Kilmer of Morgan County Seeds presents the workshop, said Debi Kelly, horticulturist with MU Extension. “He has helped hundreds of farmers throughout the United States select the right high tunnel for production,” Kelly said.

Beekeeping class set in Hillsboro
HILLSBORO, Mo. – Scott Moser, longtime beekeeper and president of the Jefferson County Beekeepers Association, will teach a beginning beekeeper class at the University of Missouri Extension Center in Jefferson County, 301 Third St., Hillsboro.The class will be 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17. For more information, call 636-797-5391.MU Extension and Jefferson County Beekeepers sponsor the class.

Farmers market workshop set in Hillsboro
HILLSBORO, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension offers a one-day workshop for those thinking about selling produce and other goods at farmers markets. The Feb. 3 workshop covers food safety, sampling, funding, customer service and opportunities for discussion with other vendors, said MU Extension horticulturist Debi Kelly. Participants also may bring scales to be certified.