Fall is prime time to establish cool-season forages
Fall offers the best opportunity to establish or renovate cool-season forages like tall fescue, orchardgrass and winter annuals such as brassicas, oats, wheat, rye and triticale. With strong cattle prices and improved cash flow, now is a smart time to invest in your forage base.
Community Resource Fair & Disability Expo coming to Mount Vernon Sept. 25
Families, caregivers, educators and community members are invited to the Community Resource Fair & Disability Expo on Sept. 25 in Mount Vernon. The free event brings together organizations offering services for individuals with disabilities, their families and anyone seeking support in southwestern Missouri.
Neighboring lessons from voices across America
Voices from across America reflect on everyday neighborly acts—from greetings and gatherings to caring and uniting communities.
Enroll steers in Missouri Steer Feedout by Oct. 15
Through cooperative efforts of MU Extension, Show Me Youth Ag Academy and Missouri State University, the Missouri Steer Feedout is enrolling spring-born steers to begin feeding in November.
Business, community leaders to meet Sept. 23 in Springfield on workforce challenges
Regional conference in Springfield on Sept 23 explores inclusive and second-chance hiring to reduce turnover, lower hiring costs and boost retention.
Mizzou meets Missouri at the State Fair
Whether it’s through interactive exhibitions, educational programming or support for young leaders, Mizzou plays a proud role in helping the fair fulfill its mission to champion Missouri agriculture and inspire future generations.
2025 Missouri Hunger Atlas now available
Food insecurity is on the rise in Missouri, according to the newly released 2025 Missouri Hunger Atlas. Published every other year, the atlas provides local leaders, nonprofits and agencies with data they can use to guide resources and shape solutions.
Update on MU Extension SNAP-Ed programming
SNAP-Ed ends Oct 1, 2025; MU Extension shifts focus to new health education initiatives statewide.
Use caution when hiring tree care professionals
Learn key tips for safely hiring tree care professionals to protect your property and avoid costly mistakes.
When your garden becomes a drive-thru for wildlife
Most gardeners know the frustration of having a beautiful garden decimated by wildlife. Just like people, deer and other critters are drawn to food that is tasty and convenient. A garden is wildlife’s equivalent of a fast food drive-thru.
Keep the sparkle, skip the ER: Fireworks safety for July 4
They light up the sky, but fireworks can also send people to the emergency room. Before you celebrate, take a few simple steps to keep your family safe.
Expert comment: Potential cuts to federal food assistance, nutrition education
The U.S. House Agriculture Committee recently approved a proposal that would make it harder to qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), reduce benefits and make other changes. Jo Britt-Rankin, director of MU Extension SNAP-Ed, is available for interviews about SNAP, SNAP-Ed and how the proposed changes could affect Missourians.
Crystal Burch honored with Missouri 4-H volunteer leadership award
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Celebrating National Volunteer Week, the Missouri 4-H Foundation is proud to present Crystal Burch with the 2025 Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award. Crystal is recognized for more than 11 years of service and support to 4-H in Vernon County. “We are honored to recognize Crystal Burch for her outstanding efforts on behalf of Vernon County 4-H,” said Rachel Augustine, director of the Missouri 4-H Foundation.
Use fenceline weaning to improve calf postweaning performance
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Postweaning calf performance is important to cow-calf operators and future calf owners,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Optimum performance is achieved by reducing weaning stress. Davis discusses fenceline weaning as a management strategy to reduce weaning stress, which ultimately reduces sickness and improves calf performance postweaning.
Report outlines Missouri population growth
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Analysis from University of Missouri Extension has placed Missouri as the 19th-most-populous state in the U.S. as of 2024, with 6.25 million residents.
Missouri's best-kept secret is hiding in plain sight
How MU Extension helps people help themselves—all across the state.
A Century of Growth: Celebrating Missouri 4-H families
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation proudly celebrates seven families as recipients of the 2024 Missouri 4-H Century Family Award. This award recognizes families who have collectively dedicated 100 years or more of membership and volunteer service to the Missouri 4-H program, showcasing their profound impact on youth development and community enrichment. 2024 Century Family Award recipients: Cass County • The Caldwell Family
Strong bull sale in Springfield
Springfield's bull sale achieved strong prices, with 26 bulls averaging $5,458 each, highlighting a robust cattle market.
Results from fall SW Mo. Bull Breeding Soundness Exam Days
STOCKTON, Mo. – “It is important for reproductive performance and profitability of the cattle operation to identify bulls that are not sound breeders and replace them prior to the breeding season,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. This is the goal of the Southwest Missouri Fall Bull Breeding Soundness Exam (BSE) Days, which also educate cattle producers on bull management for a successful…
SW Missouri Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer sale results
STOCKTON, Mo. – Strong sale with record prices were seen at the Southwest Missouri Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer sale at Joplin Regional Stockyards on Nov. 15, says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. This sale had eight consignors sell 112 heifers for an average price of $3,205 per heifer. Compared to the fall 2023 sale, the sale average was $299 higher per heifer and 27 more heifers were…
Is rained-on hay still good?
NEVADA, Mo. – Rain is always a wild card when deciding the right time to mow hay. “Pop-up showers and storms are a risk this time of the year,” says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Hunter Lovewell. This unpredictability makes it important to keep an eye on weather forecasts and understand how rainfall affects forage that is drying down but not yet baled, he says.
Heatstroke can kill quickly in hot cars
COLUMBIA, Mo. – When the news has another tragic story about a child accidentally left in a hot car, parents might believe they could never make a mistake like that. “It’s not just negligent parents or indifferent caregivers. When juggling the demands of work, parenting and daily life, it’s easier than you might think to make a simple but fatal mistake,” says Karen Funkenbusch, University of Missouri Extension health and safety…
Severe-weather resources from MU Extension
News releases, videos, publications and more. Publications In-depth information is available from these MU Extension publications, which are available for free download. (To access publications, use the links below or go extension.missouri.edu/publications/ and search by publication number.)
MU Plant Diagnostic Clinic offers free services to Amish, Mennonite farmers
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Plant Diagnostic Clinic has received a grant to help Amish and Mennonite farmers in several Missouri counties identify and manage plant pest problems through early next year. The grant is from the Regional Integrated Pest Management Center.
Missouri 4-H celebrates National Volunteer Appreciation Week
COLUMBIA, Mo. – During National Volunteer Appreciation Week, April 21-27, Missouri 4-H extends its heartfelt gratitude to the thousands of volunteers who make a difference in the lives of young people across the state.